1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I don’t know anyone who hopes for bad things to happen to them. And as true as that may be, I especially don’t know anyone who enjoys their bad times while they are happening. Trials and tribulations are promised to us while we are living in this fallen world. And as much as trials build perseverance which leads to our character development, we certainly don’t look forward to tough times when they happen. It also makes it hard to always see God’s hand in a situation if we keep focusing on that situation.

The Bible never tells us that we must be happy about a bad situation, only that in everything, we are to give thanks. That means that God doesn’t expect me to look forward to illness or hard times, only that I should find the will to rejoice in those times. When Paul was imprisoned, he was able to sing praises to God at night and rejoice in his circumstances.

When our faith is put to the test, we need to give thanks for the God we serve, knowing that He is just and He is the one who paves the victorious road for us. God doesn’t expect us to be superhuman, but He desires us to give thanks in everything. After all, it’s usually in those hard times that His goodness is revealed. Rejoice in everything and in everything give thanks!

God Bless,

Pastor Paul Provencio