When we first look at the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are faced with a significant challenge. This command seems very unusual in that we recognize how tough that life is. The challenges cause a person to wonder how thanks can be given for everything. Many concede that there is a great need to give thanks for some things. However, some also question the legitimacy of giving thanks for all things. It is interesting to note the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that Paul teaches that we are to give thanks in everything and not for everything. The imperative in this Bible verse speaks more about our perspective toward life than it does about our attitude toward the circumstances that we are confronted with. J.I. Packer describes God’s intent: “God upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.”
We know that God is the only one who can take the thousands of details of a person’s life, whether good or bad and weave them into the beautiful tapestry of His perfect plan. From the human perspective, many of life’s occurrences have little intrinsic value. If we look at the circumstances that contain little intrinsic value from God’s perspective, we will view the details differently. In Romans 8:28, we find that God affirms that no detail is irrelevant or insignificant. Romans 8:28 enlightens our understanding that God is using everything for our ultimate good and His everlasting glory.
What a joy to know that God is overseeing every detail in our lives. Paul further teaches in 1 Thessalonians 5:18b that we are to be reminded that knowing and understanding that God is overseeing every detail in our lives is “God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We give God glory and praise as we trust Him so much that we are willing to live each moment in a constant state of thankfulness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we should not permit darkness to characterize our lives. The evil one will always try to darken the doorway of our hearts, but we can choose our response. When you sense discouragement and dissatisfaction at the door of your heart, stop and send thanksgiving to the door. People are asking what they can do when the shadows of darkness are lurking and want to darken the door of your heart and mind, wanting to draw you away from your holy relationship with Jesus Christ. You can send Jesus to the door and rise up with thanksgiving in your heart. This is a discipline. This is a sacrifice. This is a weapon. You can begin to use these principles today.
Thanksgiving is also a vital element of worship. We use “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) to express our love and gratitude to the Lord. As we grow in our application of the Word of God, we must also grow in our expression of praise. Both of these go together (Colossians 3:16). If a church is “growing in grace,” the members will want to give God praise. If the heart and head do not keep pace with each other, Christian worship becomes toleration instead of celebration.
As we experience God’s goodness in our lives and offer thanks to Him, we could say that every day is a day of thanksgiving. We do not feast on turkey every day in the observance of a secular holiday. Instead, we offer our thanks to God in prayer, reflecting our thankfulness in everything we say and do. We discover that the result of our thankful lives, doing the good works that God has ordained for us to do, is that it produces thanksgiving to God. Furthermore, the effects of things we do upon the earth are far-reaching to the very throne of God.
Whatever that we may do in the hustle and bustle of life, always remember to give thanks. Live in such a way that others who watch you can experience God’s goodness from your lifestyle. Through that experience, they can pause and offer a prayer to express their thanks. Thus, God will be glorified as He receives the thanks He deserves.
We live in a world that is filled with stress, strain, and uncertainty. No matter how difficult the path of life becomes, we can pray about everything, worry about nothing, and be thankful in every situation.
That was the Apostle Paul’s formula for life. So it should be our formula for life too.