"The most important lesson I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance. Lots of times we go through different trials, and following God's plan seems like it doesn't make any sense at all. God is always in control and He will never leave us."—Allyson Felix - American Athlete
Allyson Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete in history. Now retired with a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals - including seven golds - she ranks among the sport's greats. Over those years Felix has overcome a plethora of injuries and obstacles, yet she has still emerged a winner.
In 2018-19, during her 32nd-week pregnancy checkup, doctors discovered that Felix had developed pre-eclampsia, a condition that is disproportionately prevalent in African-American women and is marked by high blood pressure along with potentially harmful childbirth effects. With the baby's heart rate steadily decreasing, Felix had to deliver her premature daughter via emergency C-section within 48 hours. After the scare, Felix became a healthcare maternity advocate.
Felix's longtime sponsor Nike refused to guarantee salary protections for her and other female athletes in the months following pregnancy. They planned to cut her funding by 70%. Following the public controversy, Nike altered their maternal policy in August 2019, promising to not apply any performance-related salary reductions for 18 consecutive months, and not to terminate female athletes if they chose not to race during pregnancy. Not only did Felix deliver a healthy baby girl, win the battle with Nike, and continue to sprint at a high level; she also rebounded financially by becoming a spokesperson for Gap, Inc.'s Athleta brand. Negative circumstances did not deter Allyson Felix—they empowered her. A CIRCUMSTANCE is an event or fact that causes or helps to cause something to happen, typically something undesirable. Paul told the Church in Thessalonica (modern day Macedonia in Greece):
"In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP)
So often, people ask, "What is God's will for me?" I've rarely, if ever, heard a leader reply..."The LORD's will is for you to thank Him in and through your circumstances." Paul admonished the Church in Philippi:
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:6-7, AMP)
To the Colossian Church, Paul wrote:
Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. (Colossians 3:15, AMP)
Praying you find grace to thank the LORD no matter your circumstance this holiday season. | 
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