Giving thanks in all circumstances is the most reliable indicator of my spiritual health.

A biblically grateful and thankful person is someone who appreciates both how undeserving he/she is before God and how generous God is to them.

But, how do we honestly give thanks when we face difficult situations and circumstances in our lives?

Giving Thanks In and For All Circumstances

I Thess. 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Ephesians 5:19-20 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Recently, we all have faced events that have challenged us, some to the very foundation of our lives in God. In the past two years many have experienced personal loss, difficult circumstances, and injustice just to name a few.

Yet the verses remain, "give thanks in all circumstances and for everything.”

I can give thanks IN all circumstances and FOR everything because God IS found in each one. Yes, God is found in each circumstance and situation we face, even the most difficult ones, if we just look hard enough.

I never give thanks to our Father for what He condemns; to do so would be inconsistent with His nature and love. So sickness, disease, immorality, murder, and other grave things that happen daily in our society are never things I give thanks for. 

Because the Lord “works all things out for our good (Rom.8:28),” I can offer thanks in and for everything, and I have confidence that God can take every circumstance and situation to grow me. In other words, I have an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and discover the depths of God in and for everything that comes into my life.

Though I cannot always control what happens to me, I do have a say to what happens in me. It’s my choice. Is it easy? No. Are their questions? Yes. But I’ve discovered that His grace is sufficient.

I can give thanks because I have confidence in a Heavenly Father who is always seeking my highest good. Though I don’t give thanks for what He condemns, I can give thanks in and for all things because He is always seeking my highest good within them. The goal of the Christian life is not necessarily heaven but the image of Christ. 

Three Things to Consider About Giving Thanks In All Circumstances

1. We give thanks because every circumstance, whether it be victory or tragedy, loss or gain, joy or grief comes with the reality of finding God. Our greatest struggle, our most demanding test, every difficult question, we give thanks to God because He is with us right in the middle of it all. When we look beyond our circumstance we will see God.

2. We give thanks because the Lord understands and feels what we are feeling. He is not aloof, not unconcerned or emotionally disconnected.

3. We give thanks because He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us and He's given us the Holy Spirit as comforter and teacher. The Holy Spirit is incredibly active in ministering to our pain or loss.

The Result of Giving God Thanks In All Circumstances

When we gain revelation on this truth then our thanksgiving to God doesn't rely on the circumstances around us, but rather, the strength we find from a good God in us.

I am discovering that giving thanks to God in all circumstances creates security and hope, it keeps my heart healthy and un-offended.

The circumstances we face may be grim and our questions may go unanswered but if we give thanks in the middle of these circumstances we will come to know God in ways we could never imagine.