Studying God’s Word

Often at Thanksgiving, we take time to think about the blessings God has given us, things like our family, good food, friends, and church. Holidays are usually good times when it’s easy to be grateful. Gratefulness is another word for being thankful, and it means to show appreciation for what you’ve been given.

But have you ever heard someone say they’re thankful for something we would consider a bad thing? Maybe something like sickness, having to move, or losing a job?

That seems like a strange thing to be thankful for, doesn’t it? What do you suppose God would want us to do? Today’s memory verse tells us what God says. Let’s read it together

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Did our verse say, “Give thanks in the good times?” No.

When did it say we should give thanks? In all circumstances.

“In all circumstances” means everything that happens to us—the good times AND the bad times. It is God’s will for us to give thanks, so it’s a command, not a suggestion to follow when we feel like it.

We don’t like to think about difficulties, but they happen to Christians as well as non-Christians because we live in a world corrupted by sin. So how can we obey this command? How can we be thankful in all circumstances? We’ll start with the easy part and look at an example in the Bible of someone who gave thanks when something great happened!