"What About Thankfulness?" (1 Thess 5:18)

Our passage says, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Many Christ followers have said to me, "If only I didn't have to deal with these problems," or, "If only I had a better job," or, "If only my spouse was better," or, "If only I had more money!" However as Christ followers, we're always to be thankful. Apostle Paul instructs us to give thanks. Paul knows that giving thanks can be a very powerful tool. Before we come to the conclusion that we're to "give thanks in all things," but not "for all things," we must be reminded of what apostle Paul taught the Christ followers at Ephesus. He said, "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father" (Ephesians 5:20). Instead of complaining about our circumstances, develop and cultivate a heart of thankfulness. The reason that causes us to not be thankful is because we have a tendency to wrongly think that we deserve better! We wrongly assume that we deserve to have better circumstances than those we currently have! But, is this thinking in line with God's Word? Truth be told, If we got what we deserved, we'd spend eternity in hell, the place that burns with fire and brimstone! We are not to think we deserve better circumstances! Instead, we're to develop attitudes of thankfulness for whatever God allows to come to us! We can and should give thanks in and for all things simply because of the character of God. He's not only a good God, He's a sovereign God! Therefore, all things have come to us from God, and He's promised to cause "all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Paul is teaching us that in His sovereignty, God orchestrates EVERY EVENT IN LIFE to bring about both our temporal and eternal benefit! I'm reminded of the words of the Psalmist, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26). Understanding and embracing these words enables us to obey the command, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Your move. Give thanks!