In all circumstances???

This is a very simple but yet very important verse of the bible!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.



I heard Pastor Mutter from our local First United Methodist Church make a very good point yesterday about this verse at our community Thanksgiving service. He said it says give thanks "in" all circumstances and "for" all circumstances. When things are going badly we are to give thanks because God is with us in those circumstances if you are a believer in Christ Jesus. God does not give bad things so we don't thank him for the bad circumstance.



Matthew 7:9-11

9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!



Romans 8:28



And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.



James 1:13



Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.



Now let me clarify here that we reap consequences of our sins. So when bad things come it isn't like we don't deserve them for we have sinned. God could stop them, but we reap what we sow sometimes!



Of course it is easy to give thanks when things are going well but let us not get to the point when we take it for granted!



So are you giving thanks in all circumstances? You should because our God is in control!



Tom