In I Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Bible tells us this: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, do you follow this teaching?
Imagine with me that you were to meet the Apostle Paul tomorrow. You see this fellow in shepherd’s garb, wearing sandals, carrying a shepherd’s staff, and smelling like sheep. His hair is long and matted, his beard uncut. He approaches you and says, I am Paul of Tarsus, formerly Saul. I am an apostle of Jesus Christ, and I have a message for you.
Would you believe it?
He seems like just a man, like any other, except for his outfit. On the other hand, Paul was hand picked by God himself to deliver the message of Jesus. About 2/3 of the New Testament was actually written by Paul.
Well, Paul wouldn’t likely meet you in person, but he wrote you a bunch of letters. One is this letter to the Thessalonians (or we could say Craig Countians). His words pack a powerful punch. They are not just suggestions or good ideas. Paul says clearly – THIS IS GOD’s WILL FOR YOUR LIFE.
But, there is a challenge in trying to obey his word’s isn’t it?
Let’s be honest…..Being thankful in all circumstances seems impossible some days.
When you’re facing a job loss, dealing with health issues, or watching a loved one struggle, gratitude feels forced or even inappropriate. Even in ordinary life, it’s hard to maintain thankfulness when you’re stuck in traffic, dealing with difficult people, or facing mounting bills.
Paul isn’t asking us to pretend everything is fine or to fake happiness. The phrase “in all circumstances” doesn’t mean “for all circumstances.” We don’t thank God for cancer, but we can find things to be grateful for even while walking through cancer. This distinction changes everything about how we approach difficult seasons.
FIRST: Paul says this… Rejoice Always. Why? Because there is Joy in God’s Character
The foundation of constant joy isn’t our circumstances – it’s God’s unchanging character. When Paul says “always be joyful,” he’s pointing us to truths that never change:
• God loves you unconditionally,
• Christ has secured your salvation,
• and the Holy Spirit lives within you.
These realities remain constant whether you’re having the best day of your life or the worst. Joy becomes possible when we remember that our identity isn’t tied to our current situation but to our position in Christ. This doesn’t minimize real pain or struggle, but it gives us an anchor that holds firm when life’s storms rage around us.
Secondly, “Pray Continually” Because gratitude is an ongoing conversation.
Prayer Connects us to God – it is continuous prayer keeps us connected to God’s perspective throughout our day. It’s not about formal prayers every moment, but maintaining an ongoing awareness of God’s presence. When we pray continually, we start noticing His hand in small moments –
• the friend who calls at just the right time,
• the unexpected provision,
• the strength to get through a difficult conversation.
Prayer shifts our focus from what’s missing to what God is providing. It helps us see ordinary moments as gifts and difficult moments as opportunities to experience God’s sustaining grace. This ongoing conversation with God naturally cultivates gratitude because it keeps us aware of His constant involvement in our lives.
Third, Give Thanks in All Circumstances: because this is the transformative power
Gratitude in trials isn’t about denying pain or pretending everything is wonderful. It’s about trusting God’s sovereignty and goodness even when we can’t see the full picture. When we choose thankfulness in difficult circumstances, we’re declaring that God is still good, still in control, and still working for our ultimate benefit. This kind of gratitude transforms us from victims of our circumstances into participants in God’s greater story. It doesn’t change our situation immediately, but it changes us in the midst of our situation. Gratitude becomes an act of faith – trusting that God’s love and purposes extend beyond what we can currently understand or see. This is all about learning to DEPEND ON GOD today, because tomorrow you will need Him.
We practice practical gratitude by building daily habits
Gratitude grows stronger with practice. Start each morning by naming three things you’re thankful for before your feet hit the floor. Keep a gratitude journal, writing down one thing each evening that showed you God’s goodness that day. During difficult seasons, look for small mercies – a comfortable bed, a warm meal, a friend’s text message. Practice gratitude in community by sharing what God has done in your life with others.
• When facing trials, ask “What is God teaching me?” or “How might He use this for good?”
• These aren’t magic formulas, but they’re practical ways to train your heart to notice God’s goodness in both ordinary and extraordinary moments.
Finally, Paul says, “this is God’s will for your life”.
Here’s what makes this passage so powerful – Paul doesn’t present gratitude as helpful advice or a positive thinking technique. He says this is God’s will for your life.
That means gratitude isn’t optional for followers of Christ; it’s part of our spiritual DNA.
When we live with joy, continuous prayer, and thankfulness, we’re aligning ourselves with God’s design for human flourishing. We are aligning ourselves into the flow of God’s Holy Spirit! We’re also becoming witnesses to a watching world that there’s something different about people who follow Jesus. Our gratitude becomes a testimony that God is real, present, and good, even when life is hard.
This is how we live as people who belong to Christ Jesus!
Our Challenge this Holiday Season….
Here’s your challenge this week: Choose one practical gratitude habit and commit to it for seven days. Whether it’s morning thanksgiving, an evening gratitude journal, or simply pausing to thank God throughout your day, let this be the week you begin living out God’s will for your life through intentional gratitude. Remember, this isn’t about perfection – it’s about practice. Start where you are, and let God grow your heart of Thanksgiving – day by day.
Let’s pray together: “Father, thank You for Your constant love and faithfulness. Help us to see Your goodness in both our joys and our struggles. Give us hearts that naturally overflow with gratitude, and help us to trust Your sovereignty even when we don’t understand Your ways. Make us people who reflect Your joy to a world that desperately needs hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craig Valley Baptist Church, at 171 Salem Ave in New Castle, welcomes you to visit and share in the love of God we have experienced. We meet Sundays at 11AM, with an upbeat service of music, sharing and preaching. You don’t need to dress us, and you won’t be asked to speak, so just come and hang out and meet new and old friends! Questions? Call 540-864-5667 or email pastor@cv-bc.com.
– Pastor Scott Gabrielson
