November 20, 2022
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
Many of my family and friends know about my love for the heart and hearts! It started when I was working in cardiac intensive care and later teaching a basic interpretation of the EKG (electrocardiogram) class for nurses. God taught me so many spiritual truths and concepts from the functionality of the physical heart. Over the years I have acquired a collection of heart-shaped items. One of my favorites is a heart collection with Scriptures engraved on it. The Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:18a “In Everything Give Thanks”. This heart was from the collection and I hung it in my office just above the light switch.
After returning to work after my husband passed in 2009, after being off for about a month I unlocked my door and turned on the light and it was as if God directed my eye straight to that heart that said “In Everything Give Thanks.” It was as if God was reminding me, no matter what happens in life, I am God, I am in control, you are my child, and I alone reserve the right to do whatever I desire to do in and through your life. Just trust me!
Do you trust God in difficult situations? Do you trust HIM in the hard places of life? Those painful places when life just does not make sense. How do you handle life when all is going well and suddenly there is a disruption? How do you handle disasters, losses, failures, disappointments, misunderstandings, dysfunctional life, and family situations? How do you respond when life seems not to make sense? The Apostle Paul penned this unique challenge in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, pray, without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. He did not say, get angry, or seek revenge, or try to figure anything out, He said, rejoice, pray, and give thanks! NO, IT IS NOT EASY!
However, in my study, it is worth noting that the Apostle Paul is not saying to give thanks for everything. The preposition used in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is the Greek ‘en’, which is best translated by the English preposition in. Paul is not saying they must be thankful for the difficulties we encounter; instead, he is challenging us as Believers to be thankful in any circumstance. Paul recognized that the secret of contentment isn’t found in circumstances. Instead, there is contentment in recognizing it is Christ who strengthens us for whatever we might face. He also penned in Philippians 4:11–13, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)
Paul further explains that we can rejoice and triumph even in hard places of life, the sufferings, disasters, loss, failures, disappointments, misunderstandings, dysfunctional life, and family situations, and just the craziness of life. The Apostle Paul further says because of what these sufferings produce in us. He further says suffering brings perseverance; perseverance develops proven or tested character; character that has been tested develops hope, and God’s kind of hope never disappoints. If God can use suffering and trials that way, to help us mature, then those experiences are worth it.
I love how Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:17 in his letter to the Corinthians. He says, the momentary afflictions we encounter in this life are producing what he calls an “eternal weight of glory”. Paul adds that the sufferings we encounter today are nothing compared to the glory we will see in the future in Romans 8:18. In other words, it is all worth it.
As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday and focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them, Thanksgiving should be on our lips every day. The spirit of Thanksgiving must become an integral part of our daily lives, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble. These are recognizable characteristics of a person who is encouraged and growing in his or her faith.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 100:1-5 (KJV)
RX: A THANKFUL 
HEART We show thankfulness to God through prayer, a grateful heart, singing and praise, by living as we should, and through service.
Colossians 2:6-10. “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So, you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (NLT)
FATHER GOD, Help us to give You thanks in everything, knowing that the difficulties, hardships, and sufferings in this life are like labor pains and that the results of proven character and confident hope is like holding a newborn baby. Thank You Father for such amazing power in understanding what Your Father has revealed about how You cause us to preserve and grow, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!
