18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
We began this week in Bible study together with a question: Have you ever been around someone holding on to bitterness? It is only appropriate that we end this week asking another question: Have you ever spent time around someone who is deeply grateful? Unlike someone who is bitter and brings negativity with them wherever they go, someone who is deeply grateful brings joy and encouragement with them wherever they go. They are a delight to be around as a result. Their gratitude shifts the atmosphere of every environment they step into. Indeed, gratitude is the antidote to bitterness. After all, it is impossible to hold bitterness when you have a spirit of gratitude.
The apostle Paul calls followers of Christ to hold on to gratitude in 1st Thessalonians 5. In this final chapter of 1st Thessalonians, he gives us closing instructions for living lives that honor Christ. As he gives his final instructions to us, Paul writes, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying” (verse 17). The call to be joyful is a command, just as the call to pray is. Even more, this verse commands us to always have joy and to always pray. These two things, joy and prayer, help us hold on to gratitude. When we have joy, it is natural to look for things to be grateful for. When we are constantly prayerful, we remember that God is the one who gives us every good thing in our lives. As he gave these final instructions, Paul continued, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (verse 18). This command is lofty. In all circumstances, God’s will is for us to be thankful. Gratitude is, first and foremost, about showing the gift-giver of the gifts you have been given gratitude. Of course, the ultimate gift-giver is God! Gratitude also impacts us positively. When we are grateful, we recognize all the gifts in our lives rather than holding on to bitterness, whether the things tempting us to be better are a result of someone’s hurtful actions or because our life circumstances look differently than we expected. Gratitude forces us to look past feelings of bitterness and remember that each one of us has been greatly blessed by God. Salvation and the promise of eternal life with Him forever, if we have placed our faith in Him, would have been more than enough. Even still, He blesses us every single day with good gifts.
The truth is, gratitude is better for us and those around us than bitterness. Gratitude helps us gain perspective and brings with it hope and contentment. We will never regret letting go of bitterness and choosing gratitude instead. Will you choose to hold on to gratitude today? There is joy and peace to be found if you choose to be grateful instead of bitter.
Moving toward action
Make a list of five things you are grateful for today. After making the list, practice gratitude. Tell God how grateful you are for all He has given you. Thank Him that He is the ultimate gift-giver. He has been so good to you!
Moving toward action
“God, You give good gifts. I am grateful for…”
Going deeper
1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[1] we don’t really need to write you. 2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[2] 5For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Paul’s Final Advice
12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20Do not scoff at prophecies, 21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22Stay away from every kind of evil.
Paul’s Final Greetings
23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Translation notes (2)
- 5:1 Greek brothers; also in 5:4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27.
- 5:4 Some manuscripts read comes upon you as if you were thieves.
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