Thank you, Jesus!

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

—1 Thessalonians 5:18

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, God instructs us to be thankful “in everything.” In Greek, this prepositional phrase is “en panti,” which means “in every way, entirely everywhere” (biblehub.com). In the New Living Translation, this verse tells us we are to “be thankful in all circumstances.” God knows that having a thankful heart benefits us. That is why God instructs us to be entirely grateful in each circumstance, no matter how tough it is. 

 

The word “thankful” in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is the present active tense of the Greek word “eucharisteo,” which is a compound of the two words “eu” and “charis.” The word “eu” means good and signifies having a good feeling about something. The word “charis” is the Greek word for grace. When these two words form the word “eucharisteo,” it represents the idea of someone so grateful that he is full, overflowing with good feelings about life. Regardless of what is happening or not happening in his life, he consciously chooses to be thankful. 

 

Having a thankful heart changes your perspective from what you lack to the blessings you have received. It inspires hope in God’s faithfulness and love. And when you believe God loves you dearly, you know that hope in Him will never disappoint you (Romans 5:5). 

 

Thankfulness is a decision. You must look at the good things in your life, not the bad that try to claim your attention. You must choose to be grateful. Yes, those circumstances are real, and I am not saying you should ignore them. But focusing on what is good in your life obeys the Lord’s instruction “to be thankful in all circumstances.” It reveals an attitude of gratefulness to God “in everything.” When you focus on God and not your circumstance, you are thankful that “in” your circumstance, God is your strength. He overcomes what you can’t. You trust that He never leaves or forsakes you. 

 

God wants us to be thankful—not resentful or forgetful of our circumstances. If we think of what might have happened but didn’t, we can find many reasons to be grateful. Perhaps your circumstances could be better right now, but they are not as terrible as they could be. Whatever your circumstances, you have much to be thankful for. God has protected you time and time again. And it is His will that you sustain a grateful attitude for the goodness He has shown you.

 

Choose today to purposefully focus on the good things God has done in your life. Even if you think your life has been challenging, it is not as tough as it could have been. God has been good to you. He has protected and sustained you. He has blessed you again and again. When someone asks you how you are doing, tell them you are thankful. Speak of God’s faithfulness to you. Speak this attitude of thankfulness at all times and with conviction. Just saying you are thankful will change the way you view your life.

 

*******

 

Dear Lord, I have had bad times, but you see only the good in my life. You want to remind me of how you have brought me through each hard circumstance and the peace you have given me. Thank you, Jesus! Forgive me for forgetting the good things you have done in my life. Help me to develop an attitude of thankfulness in my heart. This grateful attitude is your will for me. I choose to have a thankful heart in every circumstance. I choose your blessing no matter what comes against me. When others ask me how I am, I will speak of your faithfulness and not any lack. Because in you, I lack nothing. I am complete. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.

 

Thank you, Jesus!

 

www.lynnlacher.com/2024/11/thank-you-Jesus.html