A Day of Giving Thanks

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Recommended Reading Ephesians 5:18-20

As an experiment, consider giving God thanks "in everything" for a solid day. Give thanks, not repeating "Thank you, Lord" with every breath all day long, but in every event or occurrence. Every time something new happens -- phone call, flat tire, unexpected bill to pay, compliment, criticism, injury -- ask this question: "What is there in this situation or event that provides a reason to give thanks to God?"


Many people have misread 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It doesn't say "For everything give thanks," it says "In everything give thanks." There are many challenging things that happen in life for which we don’t naturally, even supernaturally, feel thankful. But when we consider that God is our Father, that He knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), and that the days of our life are planned by Him ahead of time (Psalm 139:16) -- it stands to reason that there are no accidents with God. We know that God is able to use even the difficult things in life for our good (Romans 8:28), to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

If you have a hard time seeing a reason to thank Him for something that happens, do the next best thing: Ask Him to show you.

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
Ambrose