“You have five minutes to move,” the tow truck driver ordered.
Our family time on Memorial Day ended abruptly. Two taps on the door from a neighbor warned us. When my daughter opened the door, I stood stunned. I could not believe what I saw. My car wheels were on the lift, ready to be towed.
“Stop, don’t take it!” I hollered.
“I got a call to tow this car. I need sixty dollars, or I tow it,” the driver said.
“No, you cannot do this. It’s Memorial Day. Don’t you have a heart? My mom just got here about an hour ago,” my daughter screamed.
“The car is parked on the sidewalk.”
“Why aren’t you towing all the other cars parked on the street?” my daughter asked.
“They called me to tow this one.”
After I paid him the sixty dollars, he gave me the ultimatum. “You’ve got five minutes to move, or I will tow it.”
As I got in my car, I looked at the driver and said, “The Bible says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ I guess this is one of them.”
Is it possible to give thanks in all circumstances? Yes, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said we will have trials, but He has overcome the world. Paul teaches us how to react to trials. He suffered beatings, shipwreck, and imprisonment, but he willingly suffered so that others would accept Christ. Paul tells us not to be anxious but to pray, ask, and be thankful. God will give us peace beyond all understanding. Paul’s response to trials reminds us that our momentary suffering is light compared to the eternal life prepared for us in heaven.
When life is difficult, it is natural to worry, feel anger, and question “why.” But God uses all our heartaches to increase our faith. When we are overwhelmed, we should ask God, “What is Your purpose for allowing this?” Then we should thank Him for walking with us and bringing peace in the pain.
Ask God to empower you through the Spirit to give thanks in all circumstances.
Krystal Weeks loves living in her home state of North Carolina. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandson. She has written in newsletters and Christian newspapers about her experiences in evangelism abroad on several mission trips and in America. Locally, being a friend family to international students has led to friendships with people from all over the world. She also serves in her church ministries and missions and has taught Bible lessons and ESL. She has written articles and poetry for Refresh Magazine and Lighthouse Bible Studies. Two of her articles appear in The Power to Make a Difference.