In Everything Give Thanks 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Devotional

In this 1 Thessalonians 5:18 devotional, we’ll discover the meaning of “in everything give thanks” and how this will create a grateful heart inside of us. Plus, the amazing blessings God has in store for us when we live within His will.

What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:18? 

Have you ever found yourself completely overwhelmed by life’s demands? Or completely down in the dumps wondering how you got there and if you’ll ever get out?

Of course, you have! We all face difficult, downright depressing times. But the secret to finding lasting joy and peace is in this encouraging verse…

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

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

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​This simple yet profound verse carries a deep meaning that extends to every part of a Christian’s life. The Apostle Paul calls believers to adopt an attitude of thankfulness, not just when things are going well, but in every circumstance of life, even in hard times and personal trials.

At its core, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is about the importance of gratitude as part of God’s will for our lives. It’s a reminder that being thankful isn’t just an optional practice, it’s central to the Christian life. By giving thanks in everything, we align ourselves with the will of God, trusting that His plans are good, even when they don’t make sense to us. This attitude of thanksgiving transforms our perspective, helping us to focus on God’s grace, rather than on our own difficulties.

The phrase “in everything” is key here. Paul doesn’t tell us to give thanks for everything, but in everything. By doing this, he acknowledges that life can be filled with painful situations and difficult challenges, but even in those moments, we can find reasons to be thankful. In these moments, gratitude becomes an act of sheer faith, a declaration that we believe in God’s goodness, even when we can’t see it clearly.

Paul connects this gratitude to the will of God “in Christ Jesus.” Through Christ, we’re given the grace and strength to live out this command. It’s by His example, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and by His work in our lives that we can cultivate a thankful heart, no matter what the situation. This scripture shows us that giving thanks in every circumstance is part of the larger picture of living out our Christian faith, trusting fully in God’s purposes and resting in the amazing grace of our Saviour.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to have a grateful attitude that reflects the peace and joy that only comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. It encourages us to rise above the world’s way of reacting to trials and instead have a heart of thankfulness, trusting that God’s hand is at work in every detail of our lives.

What does it mean to give thanks in all circumstances?

Nothing demonstrates faith more than a Christian who can give thanks to God in all circumstances, even when life seems unbearably hard. That’s what the words of the Apostle Paul mean in this powerful verse. He wasn’t just talking about giving thanks in good times but also in the most difficult, painful situations we face in life. Paul calls us to give thanks despite our hardship, not because it’s easy, but because God is good in every situation. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus!

So how can we, as true believers, put this command into practice? Let’s explore how we can develop a heart of gratitude, even when it feels like the last thing we want to do, and how we can see God’s hand at work in every part of our lives, especially during hard times.

The Call to Give Thanks in All Things

At first glance, Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 seems simple, to give thanks in everything. But when you think about it, this can be one of the hardest aspects of our Christian life. It’s easy to give thanks when everything is going well, but how do we give thanks when life turns upside down? How do we give thanks when facing the most difficult challenges we’ve ever encountered?

Paul’s words are clear, giving thanks isn’t something we do when we feel like it or when life is going well. It’s something we’re called to do in all circumstances. This is the acceptable will of God. It’s a command that can only be obeyed through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the strength provided by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life calls us to an attitude of thanksgiving that goes far beyond surface-level thankfulness. The world’s way is to express gratitude for the “good” things, or when life is easy, comfortable, and filled with so-called good things. But as children of God, we’re called to develop a grateful attitude that goes beyond the challenging moments. Because it’s in those tough times that our faith is tested, and our trust in God’s will grows deeper.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Free Printable Bible Verse Wall Art for Thanksgiving.

This free Thanksgiving printable will remind you to give thanks with a grateful heart this season knowing this is God’s will for you. Use it for inspirational Thanksgiving wall decor in your Christian home, Fall themed handouts, or encouraging Sunday school lessons this Autumn!

To download this printable scripture,  just click on the picture.

What It Really Means to Be Thankful in All Circumstances

What does it really mean to give thanks in everything? Paul isn’t suggesting we ignore the reality of our pain or suffering. Instead, he’s urging us to cultivate a heart of gratitude in every season of life, recognizing that God’s love is steadfast and His purposes are always good, even when we can’t see the whole picture. It’s about having a thankful attitude, knowing that God is with us through every trial and that He has good things in store for us, even in the middle of our hardship.

This kind of gratitude requires faith. It’s an act of sheer faith to say, “Thank you, Lord,” when life feels overwhelming. But it’s in those moments that we truly live out today’s truth, God is good, no matter what we’re facing. It’s about trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ, our sympathizing High Priest, is walking alongside us in every difficult time. He knows our pain, our burdens, and our struggles. His grace is sufficient, and His love is greater than any trial we face.

As we continue to grow in faith, we’ll begin to see the dealings of God in every area of our lives. Giving thanks in every circumstance allows us to align ourselves with the whole of the will of God, to trust in His good works, and to rely on His amazing grace to carry us through both the good and bad seasons. Let this scripture remind you of the good hope you have living in God’s will and be comforted by His grace.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, ^​comfort your hearts and ^​establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV

Human Nature vs. A Thankful Heart

Human nature often resists gratitude when life is hard. The natural man looks for someone to blame, wants to complain, or becomes bitter in difficult times. But the grace of God enables us to rise above our human nature and develop a heart of gratitude.

God’s Word teaches us that thankfulness isn’t about denying the reality of our pain or pretending that our struggles don’t exist. It’s about recognizing the deeper spiritual blessings that God is continually providing. The Holy Bible is filled with examples of people who faced incredible hardships but still chose to give thanks. From King David in the Old Testament to the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, we see over and over again the importance of gratitude in the lives of those who follow God’s will.

Gratitude is the polar opposite of a complaining spirit. The world teaches us to focus on what’s wrong, what we don’t have, and what we wish were different. But the Word of God calls us to fix our eyes on Him, to recognize His good purposes, and to develop a grateful heart, even when life feels unfair. This is the frame of soul that God desires for His children, the heart of gratitude that comes from recognizing the countless reasons we have to be thankful, even in the midst of trials.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 New International Version

Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude

So how can we cultivate a thankful attitude in our daily lives? It starts with focusing on God’s goodness rather than our own situations. In everything we face, whether good or bad, we can find reasons to give thanks.

One practical way to cultivate gratitude is by keeping a prayer journal or “thankfulness journal.” This simple practice involves writing down three things you’re grateful for each day. These can be big things, like the gift of salvation and eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ, or small things, like the warmth of the sun or a kind word from a friend. This practice helps us recognize the mercies of life, the spiritual blessings that come from God’s hand, and the good gifts we receive daily from our Heavenly Father. The flowing verse tells us exactly where every good gift we receive comes from.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17 ESV

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In difficult times, this practice of gratitude becomes even more important. By focusing on what we have to be thankful for, we shift our perspective from the challenges of life to the goodness of God. This helps us cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving, which is essential for developing a strong relationship with God.

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How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Give Thanks

It’s important to remember that we’re not called to develop a heart of gratitude on our own. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, guiding and empowering us to live out the will of God. Even in the most challenging circumstances, the Holy Ghost helps us see beyond the difficulties we face and recognize the good purposes of God in every situation.

Through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, we begin to see the world through the lens of grace. He helps us realize that God is always working for our good, even when we can’t immediately see it. This shift in perspective allows us to embrace an attitude of thankfulness that transforms our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit helps us live a life of praise, even when the trials of life weigh heavy on our hearts.

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ^​in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ^​by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ^​by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 

2 Corinthians 6:4-8 NKJV

Seeing God’s Hand in the Midst of Trials

As we develop a thankful attitude, we’ll start to see God’s hand more clearly in our lives. In difficult circumstances, it can be tempting to wonder, “Where is God in all of this?” But when we look back, we often see how God’s hand was working behind the scenes, orchestrating everything for our good.

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is a great example of this. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph endured countless hardships. But through it all, God’s hand was at work in his life. Joseph himself recognized this, saying,…

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

Genesis 50:20 NIV

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Joseph’s story reminds us that even when we can’t see it, God’s hand is always guiding us, and His purposes are always good.

In our own lives, we may not always understand why we’re going through difficult times. But we can trust that God is faithful, and His love never fails. He’s always at work, using every trial for our growth and His glory. When we give thanks, we acknowledge that God’s hand is present, even in the darkest moments.

The Joy of the Lord and the Blessings of Gratitude

When we choose to give thanks in all circumstances, we experience the joy of the Lord in a deeper way. His joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the eternal truth that we’re loved and cared for by God. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we open ourselves up to experience God’s peace and joy, even in hard times.

One of the spiritual blessings of a thankful heart is the joy that comes from knowing we’re walking in the will of God. Gratitude aligns us with God’s plan and purpose for our lives, and it allows us to live a life of praise and worship. This joy strengthens us to face whatever challenges come our way, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for our every need. So, as you sit down with your family this Thanksgiving with grateful hearts, surrounded by a table full of of delicious food, think of this verse and draw strength from the joy of the Lord.

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV

Living Out 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today’s truth is simply that we’re surrounded by countless reasons to give thanks each day. From the big blessings like eternal life through faith in our Savior, to the small mercies of life we often overlook, God is continually pouring out His love on us. When we take time to reflect on these blessings, we’re reminded of the importance of gratitude in our daily walk with God.

Gratitude isn’t just an emotion, it’s an act of faith. It’s about trusting that God’s will is perfect, even when life feels imperfect. And it’s about choosing to focus on the good works of God, rather than the difficulties we face. This act of thanksgiving deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith in Jesus Christ.

The Transformative Power of Gratitude

Giving thanks in all circumstances isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most powerful ways we can live out our faith. It’s a testimony to the world that, no matter what we face, we trust in the goodness of God. As we develop a heart of gratitude, we’re transformed, and our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ deepens.

So, take some time today to thank God for His goodness. Let a heart of gratitude fill your life with praise, and trust that in everything, God’s hand is working for your good. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus, an attitude of thanksgiving that brings glory to His name and joy to your heart.

My prayer for you is, that you’ll give thanks to God for everything He has done in your life this year. And you’ll have a Happy Thanksgiving full of good food and gratitude!

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