帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-24
16 要常常喜樂， 17 不住的禱告， 18 凡事謝恩； 因為這是神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。 19 不要銷滅聖靈的感動； 20 不要藐視先知的講論。 21 但要凡事察驗， 善美的要持守， 22 各樣的惡事要禁戒不做。 23 願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！ 又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守， 在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候， 完全無可指摘！ 24 那召你們的本是信實的， 他必成就這事。
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
What is God's will for me? This is probably the most frequently asked question in Christianity today. You may be surprised to learn Paul’s answer on this question in today’s passage. God’s will for you and me is to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in everything!
Such answer is easy to memorize but hard to practice. We gladly follow these commands when everything goes our way, but when things start to fall apart, we suddenly begin to question the truth of "in everything give thanks."
However, God’s command is crystal clear: to give thanks in everything! A grateful attitude in everything not only gives glory to the Lord, but also brings benefits to our life. God is working all things together for us to be just like Jesus. For such purpose God allows painful situations into our life. Our gratitude will motivate us to look for that purpose.
Next time, when you face a difficult situation, give thanks and ask God the question of “what” instead of “why”.
