Thankful for it or Thankful in it?

Jun 28 2016 Thankful for it or Thankful in it?

Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 BSB

“Remember, God tells us to be thankful for every circumstance, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.” These words came in the form of a text the day after I received terrible news. My well-meaning friend was being a well-meaning friend, but her words left me unsettled.

I was not thankful for this trial. Not at all. Still not.

The words “in” and “for” appear in this verse. It says to be thankful in my trial/circumstance, for this is God’s will. Maybe my theology is wonky, but my interpretation is that we may be thankful in our trials but not necessarily for our trials.

So, how does this look? How do we follow God’s will- according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18- when faced with tragedy, betrayal, loss, and pain?

Let us dig deeply for the fruit amid our agony and thank Him for it. Even in the worst times, there are precious blessings if we intentionally look for them. This is how we get and stay thankful in the dismally deep waters of our circumstances.

I found riches in my pain: God has loved me through friends as I’ve never experienced before. I’ve learned the power of vulnerability in seeking help. My trust in the Lord and my thirst for His Word has increased. AND! I now know that one can survive for days on only Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Saltines.

My journal pages are word-full of the treasures I have found in my trying circumstances—the pages crinkled by my tears. Maybe someday I will be thankful for it. But until then, I press on with my Jesus. For Him, I am always thankful.

Reflect:

~How can I thank God in this trial?

~Where do I see His fruit in my pain?

~How can/will this circumstance broaden my trust in God?

Dear Lord,

How rich we are in Your love for us. Please lead us to find fruit in our pain. Today, we chose thankfulness in it, knowing this is Your will for us in Christ Jesus.

Amen