Give Thanks For All Circumstances?
Michael Edwards
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:18 ESV
Many think God wants us to give thanks FOR all circumstances. The truth is that our verse says IN all circumstances. If we read it as FOR, then we believe our Good God, wants us to thank Him FOR cancer, poverty, our children’s illness, every awful thing and even God’s enemy death.
However, if we read our verse as written, it states “give thanks IN all circumstances.” So, give thanks in all things, for what? The word tells us repeatedly that no matter where we find ourself, the best thing we can do is to remember God’s goodness and steadfast love towards us.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1 ESV
We give can give thanks even in the worst circumstances because our God is good and His steadfast love endures forever. No matter what we are experiencing, these are still true. He does not want us to doubt His great love or think we are alone in our situation.
The truth of God’s goodness and steadfast love is found in a multitude of verses. These are truth filled, powerful, spiritual words of victory that were sung by Israel, leading to countless conquests in battle. They are weapons for our spiritual battles too, and will destroy enemy strongholds and bring us triumph too.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 2 Chron 20:21b ESV
God is always loving, kind, and for us, even when things are going wrong. He is a good Father all the time and His love for us always endures. A proper focus, shows us that God is greater than our problems and captivates our thoughts onto His steadfast love. This brings us His overcoming power, peace, rest and victory in our spiritual battles.
Take your eyes off your troubles and look to Him. Let the battle be the Lords as you Focus on, memorize, meditate upon, sing out, and thank God for these two absolute truths.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 ESV