1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around? In these few verses Paul encourages us to continue growing our Christian values and stand firm on our Christian morals, especially, or because of the direction our culture is heading. Paul’s instruction is just as relevant in 2014 as it was in A.D. 50.
Paul states it very clearly; he maps out a very practical game plan to follow: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” What he’s really saying is ‘refuse to worry!’ Because the temptation to be anxious is constantly with us, the best defense is continual communication, woven with thanksgiving. God knows our struggle, He knows our fears, He gets the frustration. Paul isn’t asking us to thank God for those things…exactly. He’s asking us to give thanks in all circumstances that God is walking with us, standing beside us, holding us, growing us, challenging us, cheering us on. Romans 8:28 tells us God works for the good of those who love him.
It's simple to thank God when He answers our prayers just the way we want them answered. It's also pretty easy to thank Him when we can look around and see all the blessings in our lives. When our circumstances change and life is hard, it can be hard to say, “Thank you for what You are doing even now."
In her remarkable book, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story about the importance of being thankful. She tells of a time she discovered that God was working even in the most horrific circumstances. Corrie’s “Thank You for the Fleas” story has influenced and helped many of us think differently about our difficult times.
Corrie and her sister Betsie had been imprisoned by the Nazis for hiding Jews behind the wall of their Holland home, and Nazi prison conditions were unbearable. Because the fleas were so bad in their barracks, the prison guards left them alone. They were able to lead Bible studies and comfort the women around them. Giving thanks in all circumstances actually kept passion and purpose alive, even in a Nazi concentration camp.
Give thanks always.