In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Here is a simple “thanks thought” which has come to us by way of the Thessalonians from the pen of Apostle Paul. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God concerning you.” Needless to say, this is far easier said than done. However, once it is understood and done, it makes it much easier for us to live everyday stress free.

Part of the key is that Paul is not requiring us to give thanks for everything. Why should he? There are so many things which happen to us which we are by no means thankful for. It is absolutely normal and human not to be excited about being diagnosed with a disease or losing a loved one or failing a test in school or life. What Paul suggests instead is that while we need not be thankful for everything, what a blessing it is when we are able to give thanks in everything. When we do so, we give thanks…

Going in. We can see the storm clouds ahead. We can hear the horses of the enemy approaching. We can sense the tension when we walk into the room. Yet, as we go forward into what may often be uncertain, hostile and yes, even potentially productive territory, we go in giving thanks.

Seeing in. There is an attitude of expectancy which enables us to give thanks going in. But, the gift of visibility offers us a different perspective on what we are it. Giving thanks in everything is like putting on a special pair of glasses which makes blessings visible in the dark, victory obvious in defeat, reconciliation doable in division and repair possible after destruction.

Being in. Going in brings expectancy. Seeing in offers visibility. Then, being in creates security. Giving thanks in everything helps us to feel “safe and secure from all alarm.” It makes us milk every moment for message and ministry. It helps us to watch God work miracles right in front of our eyes. It encourages us not to rush through and skip over great moves of God in our life.

Knowing in. Finally, after the expectancy of going in, the visibility of seeing in and the security of being in, giving thanks in everything guarantees certainty. This is the will of God in Christ concerning you. It is not God’s will that you particularly like what you are in. It is God’s will that you learn how to give thanks to Him even while you are in. Such an ability to give thanks is based on the certainty that God is with you and will bring you out.