In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP
We read this verse with a side eye; lips pierced saying…surely this verse isn’t meant to be taken literally. Because our minds can’t truly fathom how we can be thankful in EVERY situation, most pointedly the heart-shattering, gut-wrenching ones.
Yet, can I tell you, I believe that is indeed what we are called to do…let me explain.
It’s the idea and the truth of Both/And. In chapter 11 of my book Can You Just Sit With Me? titled Both/And Jesus, I write about this idea of how we can experience many things at the same time and still love Jesus.
In All Things Give Thanks
So here, when the scripture says “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful”, it is not instructing us to dismiss or ignore our pain. No, instead we can acknowledge that the situation is hard, it’s horrible, it’s tragic, it’s senseless, it hurts, it’s heartbreaking, and so forth. AND give thanks.
Note that the verse does not say in every situation be thankful FOR that situation or circumstance. Instead, it says IN every situation be thankful. And that’s the difference.
So as we shift into this season of giving thanks with Thanksgiving this week my prayer is for you not to feel pressured to just slap on a happy face for the sake of “being happy”.
Instead, acknowledge pain points that are happening in your life, acknowledge the grief you may feel not having loved ones at the Thanksgiving dinner table this season, the heartbreak of a broken relationship, or a dream that has been shattered.
This is your permission to grieve AND to be thankful because God is still good.
He is with us.
And he is near to our brokenness and broken hearts.
He is healing us as we confess our hurts.
Read more from chapter 11 titled Both/And Jesus in my new book Can You Just Sit With Me? Get the book here.