7 Pieces of Advice from an ApostleSample

Give Thanks in Everything

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I imagine that this is one of the most disobeyed commands in the New Testament. Do you find yourself giving thanks to God in all circumstances, both in good times and in bad? This is God’s will and God’s call to you.

Thank Him when you get a promotion, and thank Him when you get fired. 

Thank Him when you are healthy, and thank Him when you get sick. 

Thank Him when you succeed, and thank Him when you fail. 

Thank Him when you make money, and thank Him when you lose money. 

Thank Him when your car runs, and thank Him when your car won’t start.

In everything, give thanks. Do you do that?

To be clear: this verse does not tell us to thank God for everything, but to thank God in everything, in every situation and circumstance. Say someone you love gets involved in adultery. You don’t thank God for the sin of adultery, but you can still give thanks. “Lord, as bad as this is, I thank You for still caring about my friend. Lord, thank You that You can bring good out of this horrible situation. Thank You that Your grace is bigger than our sin. Thank You.”

Giving thanks shows faith that God is bigger than your problem. Giving thanks shows faith that we can trust God no matter what. Giving thanks has always been the surefire mark of the people who trust their God.