How to “Give Thanks” in All Circumstances

How to “Give Thanks” in All Circumstances We’ve heard it before. In fact, for many of us, it’s a favorite! “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). And, like, yes! This is exactly how we want to live our lives. But, what about the moments when living into these instructions feels pretty… well, impossible? During these times, there are a few things to remember. First– this is an instruction from the Bible, which also has a book called Lamentations and moments where Jesus cries. So, we are to understand there’s ALSO a place to express grief and suffering.  In fact, even as Paul is giving these instructions to the Thessalonians, they’ve already faced a number of circumstances that would’ve made constant rejoicing and gratitude pretty difficult. In Acts 17, we see Paul having to flee Thessalonica after the Thessalonians are accused of betraying their allegiance to Caesar after proclaiming Jesus to be King. This led to such an intense period of persecution, Paul was left unable to visit– hence the letter. While much of the letter is a celebration of their faithfulness, in the letter itself, Paul still addresses difficult topics such as suffering, persecution, sin, and death… woof. It’s in this context that the Thessalonians receive the instructions to rejoice always. To Pray always. To give thanks always. And, this is the context that makes it relatable. Because, sometimes, as a very wise pirate once quipped, “Life is pain… Anyone who says differently is selling something.” But, really. The Thessalonians knew pain well. Just as we know pain well. And yet… Paul assures his brothers and sisters in Christ, in spite of the worst that life can throw at us, Christ is worthy of our praise, and there is always reason for hope. While this doesn’t mean that we must be happy about or celebrate the tragic things happening in the world, or in our own lives, it does mean that God is trustworthy through these times.