1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Danke. Grazie. do jeh, daw-dyeh. Arigato. Expressing gratitude crosses all cultures and languages. Despite its universality, the climate of the day leans far more toward cynicism than gratefulness. And cynicism kills gratitude.
Those whom Jesus deems the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” know the importance of thankfulness. We’ve learned expressing thanks is like turning on a light switch—it dispels the darkness of negativity. We’ve also discovered the choice to be thankful is an intentional one, especially when circumstances tell us there’s nothing redeemable.
When Paul admonished the Thessalonians to give thanks in “all circumstances,” he included instructions to always be joyful and pray without ceasing. Rejoicing, praying and thanking God go together like bread, peanut butter and jelly. Charles Spurgeon said, “When joy and prayer are married their first-born child is gratitude.” This is God’s will. He wants us to view life through this lens. No matter what we face.
I just received news that one of my students at LBC unexpectedly passed away. He was so young, so vibrant, so devoted to Jesus. I don’t understand why God took him, but in my sadness, I began to thank God for the mark Joe left in the world. As I prayed, I thanked the Lord for putting Joe in my class, for letting me know him. My scripture that morning just happened to be from Philippians 1:21, “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” In spite of my sorrow, I rejoiced with the assurance that Joe has found his gain.
I’m disturbed by all the skepticism I see today. I imagine you are too. The negativity of hate and distrust seems to be casting a dark shadow over the world. Let’s never forget we have access to the light switch. In the midst of darkness, we can stop negativity dead in its tracks when we exercise thankfulness. It is stronger than the darkness. It’s smack dab in the middle of God’s will. So why don’t we always give thanks, if not for, then in all circumstances. Why don’t we let thanks rule!