More Than A Word

“Rejoice always”

1 Thessalonians 5:16


More than a holiday to be celebrated an attitude of gratitude is to be observed daily in the life of every child of God. It’s no wonder then that the apostle Paul would pen these words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” And this, coming from the apostle Paul who himself who suffered tremendous hardships throughout his life. Why would God call for us to give thanks always and not just for the good times? Simply put but difficult to comprehend, because “all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purposes.” In other words, often times in life unbeknownst to us God is using the hard things in life to shape us far more than He is using the pleasant experiences we encounter.

Think about your own life for a moment. What experiences have served to make you who you are? Did you think of something easy you went through in life or did you recall something that was painful or hard? Most people recall a difficult challenge as the thing that made them who they are. Maybe you survived cancer or a terrible divorce. Maybe you lost a child, a spouse, a job, a dear relative or friend? Maybe you set out to accomplish a great challenge and succeeded like running a marathon or competing in a contest where you ran the risk of losing or it was so hard you didn't think you could. Maybe you didn’t actually win anything but you did your very best which was far greater than what you thought possible. Maybe you just took all your crafts you made in your spare time and sold them worrying would people like them as much as you? Blood sweat and tears often combine to bring out the best in us. Thats why God calls us to give thanks in all things because God is in all those things working to bring us to where we are today.

So, no matter what, good or easy, bad or difficult place you find yourself in today give thanks to God for all things as this is His will for you in Christ Jesus. God never said you had to thank Him for the hard things you must endure this side of heaven but rather to give thanks in the midst of the difficulties you will face because regardless of how difficult they might be, you are not facing them alone. God is with you each and every step of the way. One of the greatest discoveries in the Old Testament for the children of Israel was to learn that the God of the Mountain top was also the God of the valley below. The God of Israel is the God who tabernacles with His children both then and now, good times and bad.

Jesus told His disciples just days before He ascended back into heaven that He would be with them always even to the end of the age and on Pentecost Sunday He fulfilled His promise when the Holy Spirit came and began filling the hearts of all who would call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Thats why Thanksgiving is more than a word, it’s an attitude of gratitude to be observed daily. So, don’t miss your chance to count your blessings today and to give thanks to the God of heaven who is not just with you, but in you every step of every day. Its no wonder you can do hard things…


“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”


Philippians 4:12–13


I LOVE YOU!