Give Thanks In All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:15-16

What are some things you’re grateful for in your life right now? Are you grateful for having a job that you enjoy? Are you grateful for your friendships? Are you grateful that fall weather is finally almost here? (That’s me!) These are the things about our life that are easy to thank God for.

But what about the parts of our lives that don’t foster gratitude so easily? What about when we feel like we’re stuck in a season of waiting, and we don’t know where God is leading us next? What about when we are dealing with the aftermath of rejection? Or what about when we’re feeling lonely?

Even though there are going to be circumstances we face throughout our lives that will be a little more difficult to walk through, that doesn’t mean we can’t still be grateful. However, it also doesn’t mean we have to be thankful for those tough seasons. 

In today’s key verse, Paul doesn’t tell the Thessalonians then, and us now, to give thanks for all circumstances. He says to give thanks in all circumstances. In other words, God isn’t expecting you to thank Him for the bad situations and uncomfortable circumstances you find yourself in. But He does want you to thank Him and praise Him for how He’s going to use those situations and circumstances to make you more like Jesus. 

Andy Stanley once said, “We learn virtually nothing from the wrinkle-free days.” That is a statement we should all keep at the forefront of our mind as we walk through the less-than-ideal circumstances that come our way. There is so much the Lord wants to teach us through the hard times we’re facing, and what a shame it would be if we missed out on learning those lessons because we were too busy complaining about the season we’re in.

So don’t let the uncomfortable, undesirable, and uncontrollable circumstances keep you from being grateful. He promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him, so don’t be afraid to hold Him to that promise. Trust that He will grow you, mature you, and develop you through whatever it is you’re walking through. He loves you. He cares for you, and He will be with you every step of the way. And isn’t that something worth being grateful for?