Becoming a Thankful Person

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The preposition used in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is the Greek en, which is best translated by the English preposition in. Paul isn’t telling the church at Philippi they must be thankful for the difficulties they encountered; instead, he is challenging them to be thankful in any circumstance that they found themselves in. Paul recognized that the secret of contentment is in Christ who strengthens him for whatever he might face. 

It is evident that God allows things in our lives to help us to grow to be more like Christ. That pursuit is the primary purpose God has for us in sanctification. If God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and that good is that we would be more like Christ, then we can expect that He will use hardship in our lives to help shape us to be more like His Son. Because He works for that purpose in our lives, we can be filled with gratitude, knowing that there is purpose even in the difficulties we can’t understand.

Prayer:

Lord, make me a grateful person. Make me a person that can see the good even when things look bad. Make me to be the person that is grateful for the mountain top experiences but also grateful when I find myself in the valley of the shadow of death, remembering when you led me into greener pastures. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!