1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Sometimes our circumstances are very difficult and we find it difficult to give thanks. That is why we have each other, to support us when we find it difficult to stand.

As I read this I looked around at the preceding passages. Here they are;  Rejoice always, and pray without ceasing. It appears that circumstances can affect both praise and prayer. Lacking in those two areas leads us to the third, thanksgiving.

Finding ourselves failing to do these two things is a sign we are already in need of sound counsel. When we don’t lean on one another we may well find ourselves spiraling downward.

Depression is ahead and the Lord does not want that for any of us. We can read the signs but we cannot avoid that path alone. We need help. If we do not reach out for help we will isolate ourselves and we will end up alone.

The first thing we have to do is recognize we are in trouble. Lack of praise and prayer in our lives is a sure sign. We need to recognize that in ourselves when it happens. That is not always the easiest thing to do when we are in the middle of the storm.

Remember Isaiah 61:6 you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; and 2 Corinthians 2:7 forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

The Word is given to us to help and comfort one another when we cannot find a way to forgive ourselves.