Be Thankful

By: Joanne Viola

At times, we may wonder what God’s will is for our lives. When His will is unclear, we find ourselves waiting for Him to direct.

There are other times, where He very specifically tells us His will:

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

God clearly lays out His will for us – in every circumstance, we are to be thankful.

This is possible as we remind ourselves of the sovereignty of God and His ability to redeem any situation.

“Paul never instructed the church to thank God for evil events but to thank God that even in evil times and circumstances our hope remains, and God continues his work in our lives.”
(The New American Commentary, Vol. 33, page 182)

Paul makes God’s will very clear. Be thankful at all times, for all things.

In keeping with this thought of thankfulness, I offer a few other quotes to think on:

• “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”
  – Henry David Thoreau
• “There should be a parallel between our supplications and our thanksgivings. We ought not to leap in prayer, and limp in praise.”
  – Charles Haddon Spurgeon
• “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”
  – Henry Ward Beecher
• “The Christian who walks with the Lord and keeps constant communion with Him will see many reason for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.”
  – Warren W. Wiersbe
• “Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.”
  – A.W. Tozer

Are you up for the challenge?
Can you be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

 

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash