Give Thanks IN Everything

When it comes to reading the Bible, each word matter. Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

At first glance it can seem Paul is calling us to radical, unrealistic happiness. But look at each word—even the tiny ones—and you’ll see he’s calling us to something far more significant.

Rejoice always. Paul doesn’t say be happy always. He calls us to be joyful always. That doesn’t mean we’ll always feel good. He isn’t calling us to act okay when life is not. Instead he’s challenging us to shift our focus. The only way we can rejoice when life is hard is to look at Jesus and what he has done for us. That perspective shift creates contentment, and a deep-seated joy, that cannot be riveted by our circumstances.

Pray without ceasing. If life was perfect, we wouldn’t need to pray. But since we live in a broken world, we need constant communication with God. We should praise him during our prayer times. We should also humbly and consistently bring our requests before him. Nothing is too small for him. Whenever we realize a need or whenever we see God’s goodness, we should breathe out a prayer of request or gratitude. He wants us to bring everything to him in prayer.  

Give thanks in all circumstances. This is the phrase that often gives us pause. Am I really supposed to be grateful for everything? No. Look again at each little word. It doesn’t say “for,” it says “in.” Not everything in life is good. But even in the messes and the sorrow, God is still good. And no matter how dark or desperate our situation, God still shows up in the small things. Thank him for the reminders, the provision, the answers that keep you going. Give thanks for his kindness and work amidst the good and the bad.

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are God’s will for us because he shapes us through them. They make us more like Jesus, who faithfully trusted God all the way to a cruel cross. He prayed for deliverance while praising his Father’s plan of redemption. He wants us to do the same.

Perhaps you’re reading this today, on Thanksgiving, if you live in the United States. Maybe you woke up this morning with a groan, wondering how you’d make it through the day, much less be thankful.

No matter where you live or what you’re going through, God invites you to take everything to him. Bring the sorrow and the joy. Take the tears and the laughter. Hold up the heartache and hope.  

Invite him to take it all. Praise him for the good. Ask him to redeem the bad. And let him teach you how to live like Jesus, entrusting it all into his good and faithful hands.  

Will you come to him?