FROM THE PULPIT: GIVING THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

They call it "Murphy's Law," the worst thing that can happen at the most inconvenient time. The Apostle Paul would call it a reason to give God thanks.

"Give thanks in all circumstances," wrote Paul in First Thessalonians 5:18, "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Bear in mind we give God thanks in our circumstances, which is entirely different than giving thanks for our circumstances. It's an important distinction.

Can we give God thanks when the tests come back and the answer is cancer? Can we be thankful for the times unexpected bills exceed our monthly income? Do we have a reason to give thanks even though the car breaks down the week after the auto loan was paid off at the bank?

Paul doesn't merely say it is possible to give thanks, he tells us to do it, in all situations. Even though there is no apparent reason, give God thanks anyway. This is the essence of the Christian life as Paul lived and taught it.

How is this possible? Note the progression of Paul's exhortation. Verse 5:16, Paul tells us to rejoice always.

Joy, not to be mistaken with happiness, is an inner confidence in God that is not swayed by external events. Happiness is fickle and elusive and dependent upon events that appeal to us.

Joy is the inner confidence we experience when we place our faith and trust in God. Paul was able to rejoice, even in his sufferings (2 Corinthians 6:10, Colossians 1:24).

Verse 5:17, Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. I don't think Paul intended for us to spend every minute of every day on our knees with hands folded and eyes closed. Paul's idea of prayer is close communion and interactive communication with God.

Through prayer we talk to God and we listen to the nuances and intuitions of the Holy Spirit. Most of us talk too much and don't listen at all. We need to find time to be quiet in the harried hustle of our hectic schedules to know who God is (Psalms 46:10).

When we place our trust in God, and when we keep the lines of communication open, it becomes easier to give thanks, even when things don't go our way. When we give thanks, we begin to recognize the redemptive providence of God and the ultimate purposes behind our tragedies. We begin to appreciate our existing relationships and possessions, rather than coveting the things we don't possess but believe we absolutely can't live without.

The upshot of rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances is found in verse 23. The God of peace sanctifies us and keeps our spirit, soul and body sound and blameless. That's a reason to give thanks!

If giving thanks in times of hardship and tragedy allows God to keep me in his fellowship, I know I have a reason, and the power, to give thanks in all circumstances.