Be joyful always;

Yeah, right!  Be joyful always.  What about this back pain I’ve got, huh? Do you know what it’s like to hurt as bad as I do for as long as I have?  Tell me to be joyful always.  Not to mention the bills I’m getting in everyday because of this.  Besides, don’t get me started on my financial issues.  Nothing to be joyful about there.  It’s impossible.  Can’t be done.  I bet anyone in my shoes couldn’t be joyful in those situations.  Be joyful always! HA!  Give me one good reason to be joyful always!

pray continually;

I can’t pray continually.  That’s too much to ask.  My life is so busy and hectic.  There is barely enough time for me to get up, get to work, get home, get my nap in, get supper fixed, watch TV, and go to bed.  I just can’t pray continually.  Oh, I do pray every now and then.  I think that’s good enough.  I’m sure God’s OK with that and understands.  Besides there isn’t really one good reason for me to pray continually.

give thanks in all circumstances,

Yeah. I’m going to be giving thanks when I’ve got some horrible disease.  Sure is something to be thankful about there.  And again nothing to be thankful for in my life right now.  With the previously mentioned back problems, financial problems, I just don’t think I can give thanks in all circumstances.  Tell me one reason why, in those hapless situations, I should be thankful.  I can’t think of one good reason!

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Oh.

Because of HIM,

SC

1Thessalonians 5:16-18