Are You Struggling to Be Thankful?

A Few Thoughts to Consider

How do I be thankful when life is hard?

“As is common for Paul, he concludes his letter to the Thessalonian church with a litany of exhortations established on the truths of the gospel he has set forth throughout his letter.”^[1] In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24, Paul offers a series of instructions and encouragements to guide believers toward living fully in God’s will.

In verses 12-13, Paul addresses the need for respect and unity within the community. He writes, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” He then urges the church to actively engage with the needs of others.

Then, in verses 16–18, Paul gives three imperative commands that define a God-centered life. He instructs the Thessalonian believers to “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” As Michael Martin notes, “Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks, however, were not exclusively personal spiritual experiences. They were just as much, if not more so, public expressions characteristic of the church assembled.”^[2]

Notice the totality of each action—Always, constantly, and everything. Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are not just noble actions. They are to be a constant state of mind and Christian practice. As N.T. Wright points out, “The early Christians knew a lot about suffering; Paul wanted them to learn how to celebrate in the midst of it. Learning to thank God for whatever he gives is sometimes difficult, but it goes with celebrating the lordship of Jesus over the world in advance of its being made public and generally recognized.”^[3]