Thanksgiving Reading Day 1: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Notice how his section breaks down. First, we read that we are to be "joyful always" or to "rejoice always". There is a problem we face sometimes. We expect to be happy always when the Bible calls us to have joy always. There are things may not make us happy, but they don't have to steal our joy. Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is based on something unchanging, our relationship with the LORD.
The second part helps us understand how we keep rejoicing and having joy whatever life throws at us. "Pray continually". If you want joy; be in communication with God regularly. God gives us guidance and perspective on circumstances in life that changes how we view and handle them. The problem for most people is that as their problems increase their view of Jesus decreases. Prayer allows the opposite to be true. As we pray our view of Jesus increases, and our problems seem to decrease in the light of God's power and love.
Give thanks in all circumstances. Notice this does not mean give thanks FOR all circumstances. Some things are just awful and wrong and there is nothing to be grateful for in the place we find ourselves. However, we can still give thanks to God in all circumstances because our circumstances may change us or our relationships, but they cannot and will not change God. God is the same on your best day as He is on your worst day.
How can we give thanks in all circumstances you may ask? It is not a momentary decision we make or a feeling we have when trouble comes. It comes from a daily pattern of rejoicing and praying. When we rejoice always we are simply in a line of thinking that whatever comes, God is good. When we pray continually we not only believe that God is good, but we also demonstrate that we have a relationship with Him and that He cares for us and trust that He will. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is the first step towards a life of joy and thankfulness because when our eyes are on Him everything else becomes a bit clearer and we find that joy and peace and gratitude are not based on circumstances but are grounded in God himself. Circumstances change; God does not. Make God bigger in your life and the things of this world and the problems we face will become smaller.