November 01, 2023 | Letters from the Lead Pastor by Brandon Lenhart
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
2 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
How hard is it to be thankful in all circumstances? And what does the Apostle Paul mean by “all circumstances”?
The imperative word in verse 18 is the word “in.” Be thankful “in” all circumstances, and not, be thankful “for” all circumstances. So if we are to be thankful in all circumstances then what are we to be thankful for, specifically? Well, when bad times come and difficulty strikes, we can be thankful for GOD’s presence with us in our toughest of circumstances. We can be thankful for the good GOD will do in us, through us, and around us as we remain faithful to Him in the trials and travails of life. When others let us down, when we feel betrayed and alone, or when it seems the world is against us, we can be thankful that GOD will never let us down, or betray us or leave us alone. We can be thankful that GOD is for us and not against us when we have surrendered our life to Him through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
So what about the good times? It can be just as difficult to be thankful to GOD in the good times as well as in the bad. Why? The reason is that when things are going well we don’t always take the time to stop and thank GOD. All too often the only time people think about GOD is when things are hard and difficult, but when all is going well we stroll along in life without a care in the world; all is as it should be.
A thankful heart is born in a thankful person who gives thanks in all circumstances whether good or bad because they know that GOD is working all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His good purpose (Romans 8:28).
Take some time this month to express kindness through gratitude to GOD and others.
“The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.“
- Plutarch
