Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, all human beings are born broken, sinful, and negative. By nature, we see the dark side of things. When things don’t go our way, we invest all of our energy either excusing or accusing. We come up with a myriad of excuses to explain away our own behavior and we come up with a myriad of accusations to point the finger at others.
But this is not for you! Today’s passage reminds us that, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves it, we are to give God thanks. That’s right! We are to thank God for everything, because we know that God is at work in everything (Psalm 119:91), working all of it together for our good and His glory.
Know this: We are as thankful as we choose to be. Giving thanks is a choice, and it is a choice we are to make moment by moment, regardless of the circumstances we are facing. The key is to keep our focus on Christ, not on what is going on in our lives at that moment. Circumstances come and go; circumstances change. But not Jesus! He is the one Constant we have in our lives, who is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
When we fix our thoughts on Jesus, we will rise above excusing and accusing. We will begin to develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. In the world of research on the human condition, an attitude of gratitude is the foundation upon which a healthy and happy life is built.
So regardless of where this message finds you today, give thanks in all circumstances! See everything as a gift from God and a blessing from His hand. God uses every circumstance to conform you more and more into the image of Jesus.
Remember, God’s will for your life is to be thankful. His command to us is to be thankful. Is this the confession of your life? Or have you let negativity have dominion over you? Choose thanksgiving in all circumstances, and you will rise above the waves of challenge and soar with the eagles.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 