NO MATTER WHAT, GIVE THANKS!

“In everything give thanks;
for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
New American Standard Bible

Life is filled with different experiences, some good and others not so good. The believer can find assurance in every situation that arises because Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” While every situation may not be good, the scripture says that all things will work together for good, fitting into the overall plan of God for our life.
It is vitally important to maintain God’s perspective especially when going through trials and tribulations. God will hear the voice of your words (Deuteronomy 1:34-35). The only acceptable response is thanksgiving and praise. We must remember and know that everything is working in God’s plan to bring us to an expected end which is to be conformed into His image.
The Apostle Paul exhorts the church at Thessalonica to always give thanks, no matter what. The next statement is strong. Why give thanks? Because it is God’s will for you. Giving thanks in the midst of circumstances and situations demonstrates that we trust the loving hands of God. It shows that we have confidence in His plan for our lives.
We don’t give thanks FOR everything; we give thank IN everything. We must know that into each life a little rain must fall. However, we must trust and know each situation is filtered through the hands of our loving heavenly father to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us (I Peter 5:10).
When we murmur and complain, we are OUT of the will of God. To murmur means to “grumble, complain; to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide.” Murmuring and complaining displays that we do not trust the power of God to deliver us out of trouble and doubt that He knows what is best for our lives. God despises murmuring and complaining. He said in Numbers 14:29, “your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” God wants thanksgiving and trust, not doubt and complaining. This is His perfect will for your life.
Do you want to be in God’s perfect will? Do you trust His hand in your life? Do you trust that He knows what is best to perfect you? When we have this confident trust in Him, we will be able to give thanks, no matter what!