In All Circumstances, Give Thanks!

by Pastor Daniel

Hello Friends,

I was thinking the other day how tough it is to give thanks when something goes wrong. How can I give thanks when something doesn’t make me happy? How can I give thanks when I lose my toy? How can I give thanks when I get a bad grade on a test? How can I give thanks when I get sent to time out? How can I give thanks when I get bucked off a horse? How can I give thanks when my friend is sick, when my brothers and sisters leave home, or when my parents are fighting? How can I give thanks in situations like these?

I struggled to understand, as a kid, how anyone could give thanks when something bad happens to them. But then I was told by my Sunday School teacher that God wants us to give thanks in all circumstances. Paul writes in his letter to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (5:16-18). Even though something bad happens to us, we are to give thanks to God. Why? Because God has given us the strength to overcome all of our problems; and God has given us the ability to love everyone no matter what happens. And on top of that, we know that nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 17:20, 19:26; Mark 10:27; and Luke 18:27)!

So when you lose your toy, give thanks to God because God has given you the chance to play with something else so your imagination will grow. When you get a bad grade on a test, give God thanks for letting you know that you can do better on the next. When you get sent to time out, give God thanks for allowing you the time to pray to him and for the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. When you get bucked off a horse, give God thanks that you didn’t get hurt. When your friend gets sick, give God thanks for his healing power. When your siblings leave home or when your parents get in a fight, give God thanks because he has given you brothers and sisters, and parents that love you. In all circumstances, give thanks to God.

This Thanksgiving, as you eat lots of food and spend time with family, friends, and neighbors, remember to give God thanks because he has given you so much in your life. Even when bad things happen, remember to give thanks because God deserves to hear kind words and you deserve not to go to time out!

I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, friends!

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Pastor Daniel