Give Thanks in All Circumstances
I love Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to sit around the table with my family and dive into some dressing! I mean, I love turkey and all the other Thanksgiving foods, but let’s be honest here. . . Thanksgiving is all about the dressing! It is so good.
But I’m not just looking forward to the food. Thanksgiving reminds me of all the blessings I have in my life. My family and the memories of spending holidays with them will place a smile on my face and stir affection in my heart.
It will do the same for many of you as well. You may not be thankful for the same things that I’m thankful for, but you’ll spend some time reflecting on your blessings and thanking God for them too.
As believers, we know that giving thanks and counting our blessings is a good thing for us to do, but I came across a Scripture passage several years ago that made me stop in my tracks. It’s in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and the apostle Paul takes giving thanks to a whole other level.
Here’s what Paul says:
18 give thanks in all circumstances…
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
“All circumstances? Really, Paul? I mean that’s ridiculous. Don’t you know that not all circumstances are good?”
“Some people are sick and have cancer, Paul.”
“Others are dealing with a divorce or another kind of relationship struggle.”
“Some have lost a loved one, Paul.”
“Others are fighting depression, anxiety, stress, or loneliness. They are at the end of their rope.”
“So, how can you say to give thanks in all circumstances when not all circumstances are good, Paul?”
Well, here is the deal. The apostle Paul knew that all circumstances were not good. He knew that the circumstances the Thessalonians were in were not good. He even references it in several places throughout the letter.
They were being persecuted. Some were insulted, some beaten, and others were being put to death. They were experiencing suffering of the worst kind.
Paul knew they were going through severe trials, and yet he still said to them, “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
So, again, how could Paul say that?
THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES NOT FOR ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Notice that Paul did not say to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances.
Not all circumstances are good. Paul is not saying that we are to give thanks for the bad things that happen.
Paul even says in a different New Testament letter to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:18). People mourn when bad things happen to them, and Paul doesn’t say to tell them to give thanks and get over it. He says to feel their pain with them.
So again, Paul is not saying to give thanks for all things but in all things.
In all circumstances, even the bad ones, we can give thanks. Here’s why.
IN CHRIST, YOU HAVE EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING
The moment you put your faith in Jesus your sins are completely forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, uniting you to Jesus in a spiritual union.
You have all that you will ever need for life and godliness in Him (2 Peter 1:3).
You have every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.
(Ephesians 1:3)
Every spiritual blessing. Not some blessings but every blessing.
This is how and why you can give thanks in all circumstances. Because even though not all circumstances are good, God is good and you have abundant life and blessing in Christ.
There is also hope found in knowing that He is working even in those bad situations or circumstances for your good in some way (Romans 8:28).
So, to give thanks in all circumstances means to thank Him not for the cancer, the divorce, or the mental health problems but rather in the cancer fight, in the divorce separation, and in the mental health battle.
Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for the blessings you do have, for the abundant life in Him, and for the hope you have in Him even in those moments of despair. Thank Him for what He is doing through the cancer, the divorce, or the depression to work for your good and His glory.
REJOICE ALWAYS AND PRAY CONTINUALLY
Paul also gives 2 other imperatives along with the imperative to give thanks in all circumstances.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
REJOICE ALWAYS
When Paul says to rejoice always, he isn’t saying to be happy in all circumstances. Joy is not the same as happiness.
Happiness is based on “happenings,” so if things happen to go well, you’re happy, but if things happen to go badly then you are not happy.
However, joy is not dependent on circumstances. As a matter of fact, joy comes from the Lord.
Nehemiah 8:10 says…
10 …Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
(Nehemiah 8:10)
Notice, it’s the Lord’s joy. Joy comes from Him.
In John 15:11, Jesus even affirms this as He is having a conversation with His disciples.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
(John 15:11)
If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus, He does live in you. You have His joy, and your joy is now complete.
That is why you can rejoice always as Paul instructs in 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Even if your circumstances are not good, you still have His joy.
PRAY CONTINUOUSLY
When Paul says to pray continuously, he doesn’t mean to sit by your bed on your knees and just constantly pray.
He is saying to be in the habit of talking to God. Be in the habit of saying to Him what you are thankful for in all circumstances. Be in the habit of saying to Him that He is your joy and your strength as you walk through whatever circumstance life brings your way.
It’s the idea of communicating to Him that He is your Lord and that you trust in Him, lean on Him, and depend upon Him to give you what you need to “rejoice always” and “give thanks in all circumstances.”
Paul isn’t expecting you to do these three things he’s commanded you to do on your own. Just a few verses later in chapter 5 (23-24), look what he says…
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Notice Paul says twice here that he is expecting God to do the work in them and through them. In v. 23, he says, “May God Himself sanctify you,” and also in v. 24, he says, “God is faithful and He will do it!”
So, pray continuously to express dependence and trust in Jesus to be your joy and to give thanks in all circumstances.