“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version). 

We rejoice, pray, and give thanks because of who God is. His Word tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances.”

It is not easy. That may be why Paul phrased it in the form of a command. If it was easy to thank God in all circumstances, he might have assumed we give thanks as easily as we breathe and eat.

In all circumstances? It is easy to thank God when things are going well. It is easy to thank Him when your bank account keeps growing, your entire family is healthy, your favorite sports team is heading toward the championship, and so on. However, you might not want to thank God, or even have anything to do with Him, if you or a family member are unemployed, the economy falls apart, a close family member has a long-term illness or deadly disease, and a family of rats has taken up residence somewhere in your house.

Perhaps it is during those hard times that we most need to thank God. Thanksgiving inspires us to pray, trust God, and hope that He will bring us better days soon. Our circumstances may be grim, but God is merciful, loving, and all-powerful, and He never changes.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

Thankfulness reminds us who God is, what He can do, and what He has done in the past. It inspires us to rejoice in Him and replace worry with prayer.

Take time today to think back on God’s blessings. What has He done in your life in the past? What good things have you enjoyed? What good things are you enjoying now? They might not be extravagant; you may enjoy a meal with friends and family who love you. Perhaps you have a warm place to stay. Think about the good things God has given you. Thank Him.

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen
(The Book of Common Prayer).

What are you thankful for today?

Copyright © 2024 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.