Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica to, "Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What an awesome task they were given.Consider that in the first century the church is in its infant stages. Churches were established and converts from pagan deities made up the church. Those who became Christian underwent persecution of various types. Families were divided as some continued their paganistic ways and others now believed in the One true God. And yet they are given the admonition to rejoice, pray and give thanks in everything. In our world today we may find these words a little strange, and yet the admonition is there for us also. How do we rejoice when a job is lost and there is not much hope of achieving another? How do we rejoice when the house payment is due and we do not have the funds to pay it? How do we rejoice when we, or our loved one, is sick and there is not much we can do? I'm sure you can add to the list.As Christians we do have hope. We never know what is just around the corner. If we give up and let the cares of this world crash in on us we will never make it. If all we can see is what this world has to offer, we are going to be disappointed.As Christians we can rejoice because we have a Savior who came into our world to give Himself as a sacrifice. We have the hope of one day living with Him throughout all eternity. Our lives should never be caught up in the things of this world but we should always be expecting to be with Him.So we pray. We pray without ceasing or always have an attitude of prayer. We give thanks to God in everything knowing He is listening and wants to answer our prayer. Sometimes that answer is a "no", but it is an answer. If your child asked you a "yes or no" question and you said "no", is it an answer? Definitely. So it is with our God.It is not the norm for us in our society to do the things Paul told the Thessalonians to do. But if we do them, what a wonderful hope we have.