Thankfulness in All Circumstances

We all want to receive God’s blessings and his favor. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to be blessed either financially, spiritually, physically, or mentally. The good news is that God wants to bless us. Deuteronomy 30:9 says, “The Lord will again take delight in prospering you.” Why does God want to bless us? Well, the obvious answer is because he loves us, but also so we can bless him. One of the most important things to remember is to not lose our thankfulness when we receive our blessings. How many of us, when something exciting happens, lose that excitement over time? We get the new car, then suddenly that new car isn’t new anymore, so our thankfulness diminishes.

We see this warning in the book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites were on the verge of crossing into the promised land. As they were about to receive their blessings, the Israelites were told “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” – Deuteronomy 6:12.

We must remember to give thanks to God for blessing us, but did you know that we are to give thanks to the Lord in bad times, too? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Paul didn’t write, “Give thanks for the good things in life” or “Rejoice until trials come,” but he said we must give thanks in ALL circumstances. Similarly, in Philippians 4:6, Paul says we aren’t to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.

One of the best ways to get through trials and tribulations is through praising God. In Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, they prayed and sang hymns to God. Many of us, when faced with a similar situation, would succumb to fear or panic, yet they chose to praise God anyway. Because of their obedience, a whole household was baptized and received into the kingdom of God. So how can we be thankful in all circumstances? Make it a habit to exude thankfulness. Thank God for waking you up, for your loved ones, your health, and your salvation in Jesus. We can thank him that in the midst of the storm, he is there for us, never leaving us.

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” – Psalm 86:10.