A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks.” While Corrie ten Boom was living in a German concentration camp, her entire body became infested with lice, making a bad situation even worse. Due to the horrific conditions of the camp, she was unable to rid herself of the little pests. They infested not only her hair and clothing, but also her bed. One day she was complaining rather vociferously about the lice to her sister. Whereupon her sibling reminded her of the Scripture, “In everything give thanks.” From that point on, Corrie’s sister challenged her to begin giving God thanks for the insects. Corrie’s response was, “How can I give thanks to God for lice?” “Just try it,” challenged her sister. From that time on, Corrie ten Boom made a conscious decision to offer thanks to God for the lice. Later, after her release from the concentration camp, Corrie found out that the lice had actually protected her from the assaults of the German soldiers. Word had spread throughout the camp, even to the Germans, that Corrie ten Boom was infested with lice. The German soldiers, fearing they too might become infested, kept their distance from Corrie. You and I will never fully appreciate how a wise and heavenly Father may use what seem to be annoyances to us, for our greater good. This is why it is imperative that in all situations or as Apostle Paul put it in our Scripture lesson today, “In everything give thanks.” I never thought there was any good purpose for gnats until an entomologist told me that without them, some plants would not be pollinated, and some animals would die of starvation because gnats were in their food chain. Today, take another look at what initially may seem to be areas of annoyance in your life. These could range from uncontrollable circumstances in your personal life, to family members or co-workers that beleaguer you on a daily basis. Begin giving God thanks, even for the things or people that annoy you. Sooner or later, you will discover how God is actually using the little nettles of your life to fulfill a greater purpose, for His glory, during each new day.