1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in everything. I've been struck by this verse recently, and I've been unpacking every word.
"In"
The Word says to give thanks "IN" it...not once we're on the other side of a messy situation and can see God's sweet purposes in it. In the moments when we are feeling hurt, anxious, confused or impatient... give thanks to God during these moments. The result of this is that we invite His calming presence into our minds. Choosing to connect with Him in the tough moments is the very best thing we can do, because He can provide help, wisdom, comfort, empathy, or whatever we need in that moment. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that He can do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Applied here, that means we should never underestimate what He can do when we choose maintain a pliable, grateful heart no matter what is swirling around us.
"Everything"
Anyone can feel content and grateful when things are smooth, but God calls us to more. He invites and challenges us to maintain grateful hearts in the toughest of times because He knows that brings Him glory, and that's what's best for us! See point above - choosing to humble ourselves and be grateful during even the worst moments invites him into the mess. In the hospital, in the breakup conversation, in the miscarriage, when the pink slip comes...because of Jesus, we have a reason to choose gratitude amidst all of it. We don't have to be thankful for our circumstances, but we can always be grateful in them because of the cross and God's many, many promises.
"Give"
This is a verb, an action word. What does it look like to "give thanks" in a practical sense? Remove the images of Plymouth Rock, pilgrims and cornucopias from your head and really ponder how you can give thanks. Actively taking time to pray and engage with God, choosing to blare worship music and drown out other not-so-pleasant-thoughts you may be having, acting generously toward someone else, placing a visual reminder somewhere to prompt you to periodic prayers of thanksgiving... all of these are ways we can actively give thanks to God, but these are just a few ideas. Ask Him how you can give thanks in everything.
"Thanks"
Our temptation during trials may be to connect with God, yes, but for the purpose of pleading with Him, not giving thanks to Him. He wants us to be authentic with Him, so of course He is not surprised by the pleading, but again, He calls us to more. That's why cultivating a grateful heart in everything is something we must work on during good times also, so that it is a more conditioned and natural response no matter what our day holds. God wants and expects us to cry out to Him - the Bible is filled with stories of people doing so - but as this verse and so many others remind us, gratitude can and should always be nestled in our hearts as well.
This verse really challenged me. Here's to spurring one another on toward giving thanks in everything!
"In"
The Word says to give thanks "IN" it...not once we're on the other side of a messy situation and can see God's sweet purposes in it. In the moments when we are feeling hurt, anxious, confused or impatient... give thanks to God during these moments. The result of this is that we invite His calming presence into our minds. Choosing to connect with Him in the tough moments is the very best thing we can do, because He can provide help, wisdom, comfort, empathy, or whatever we need in that moment. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that He can do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Applied here, that means we should never underestimate what He can do when we choose maintain a pliable, grateful heart no matter what is swirling around us.
"Everything"
Anyone can feel content and grateful when things are smooth, but God calls us to more. He invites and challenges us to maintain grateful hearts in the toughest of times because He knows that brings Him glory, and that's what's best for us! See point above - choosing to humble ourselves and be grateful during even the worst moments invites him into the mess. In the hospital, in the breakup conversation, in the miscarriage, when the pink slip comes...because of Jesus, we have a reason to choose gratitude amidst all of it. We don't have to be thankful for our circumstances, but we can always be grateful in them because of the cross and God's many, many promises.
"Give"
This is a verb, an action word. What does it look like to "give thanks" in a practical sense? Remove the images of Plymouth Rock, pilgrims and cornucopias from your head and really ponder how you can give thanks. Actively taking time to pray and engage with God, choosing to blare worship music and drown out other not-so-pleasant-thoughts you may be having, acting generously toward someone else, placing a visual reminder somewhere to prompt you to periodic prayers of thanksgiving... all of these are ways we can actively give thanks to God, but these are just a few ideas. Ask Him how you can give thanks in everything.
"Thanks"
Our temptation during trials may be to connect with God, yes, but for the purpose of pleading with Him, not giving thanks to Him. He wants us to be authentic with Him, so of course He is not surprised by the pleading, but again, He calls us to more. That's why cultivating a grateful heart in everything is something we must work on during good times also, so that it is a more conditioned and natural response no matter what our day holds. God wants and expects us to cry out to Him - the Bible is filled with stories of people doing so - but as this verse and so many others remind us, gratitude can and should always be nestled in our hearts as well.
This verse really challenged me. Here's to spurring one another on toward giving thanks in everything!
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