Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
I want you to read our verse slowly and really focus in on every single word. It doesn't say, "Be thankful in some circumstances." It doesn't say, "Be thankful in good circumstances." The Scripture is clear: it says, "Be thankful in all circumstances." That's an entirely different conversation.
Our Human Nature
Our human nature is to do the opposite. Yes, of course, it's easy for everybody to be thankful when the check clears. It's easy to be thankful when you get the praise report. It's easy to be thankful when you get the clean bill of health from the doctor. When your children are doing exactly what they should do, when your parents are healthy, kicking, and alive and well.
It's easy to be thankful in those circumstances.
But When the Coin Flips
When it's the flip side of that coin—Paul is writing this letter to the Thessalonians because he knows the chaos is happening. When things go awry, will you remember to be thankful in those circumstances, understanding that it's a part of God's plan? Don't believe me? It says it right here in the Scripture: "For this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
A Different Level of Trust
That's a different level of trust we're talking about. I get it, because as a human, our nature is to say, oh, how can I be thankful in this circumstance? It's terrible. It's scary. It's frightening. That cancer diagnosis. That denial of an application that you filled out.
It's important for you to understand: We're not telling you to be thankful for the circumstance. Be thankful for God in the circumstance, not celebrate it. That's a clear distinction. The Scripture doesn't say, "Celebrate these things." It says to be thankful in the midst of the circumstances—not celebrating the circumstances.
A Key Distinction
That context slightly changes things for you. It gives you comfort in knowing that if God brought you to it, He's going to bring you through it.
My Personal Testimony
Countless times in my own life—whether it's been facing abuse, whether it's been destructive decisions I made in my younger years, whether it's been setbacks to my family, things outside of my control in my work life—guess what? I am now a fully ordained pastor and I have an opportunity to serve God's children regularly.
Years ago, I was chasing a completely different path, and God had to literally remove me through a budget cut from a massive company. I lost my job. I only had one car. My wife was in a meeting and couldn't leave. I didn't have a ride home. I took my belongings in a little bag that a manager pulled from someone's trash can—a Walmart bag. He emptied some papers out and gave it to me to put my belongings in.
I'm walking down the highway in 100-degree weather, sweating through my suit because I don't have a ride. I'm supposed to be thankful in this circumstance? How? Because it's God's will for me.
He Had to Remove Me
If He had never removed me from that place—in my comfort in the corporate world where I was making what I wanted to make and life was good—I don't know that I ever would have had the courage to leave it behind on my own. I never would have been ushered into what I'm doing today. I wouldn't even be here serving you right now had that not happened.
Allow this testimony to give you courage, to bring you comfort, and to give you peace in knowing that God—the same one who created heaven and earth—has a plan for you, and His will for you is beautiful. You must remember to be thankful in the process, in all things, in all circumstances.
My Challenge for You
My challenge to you this week is simply this: Don't wait for better circumstances or for your situation to change before you express gratitude and thankfulness to God. Choose something you're thankful for right now—today. Express it to Him. Pray to Him. Talk to Him.
Let Him know you are grateful for His plan in the process, and watch that attitude of gratitude change everything for you.
