“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Have you ever wondered about this text? I sure have. How can God expect you to give thanks when your world seems to be falling apart, when you lose your job, are felled by illness, or have been rejected by someone you love? How can you be grateful for loss, disappointment, and suffering?
The truth is you can’t and God isn’t asking you to. The text doesn’t tell you to be thankful “for” all circumstances. It says to be thankful “in” all circumstances. When you are a child of God you can be thankful in whatever situation you find yourself. Why? Because you are never alone. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).
Today, you may not feel too thankful “for” the circumstances you find yourself in, but you can be thankful that your Heavenly Father will be with you “in” it every step of the journey. So, no matter what comes your way today, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34).