From the Pulpit: Thankfulness is more than feeling good

In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians he says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Give thanks in all circumstances. In everything give thanks. Is that possible?

I think of people facing war around the world. I think of some facing terminal health diagnosis. I think of the family member who has lost a loved one. Can we give thanks in these circumstances?

I did a little digging into the word in Paul’s message that we translate into English as “thanksgiving” or “gratitude”. The Greek word is eucharista. It is the term that Jesus uses in Luke 22 when he breaks the bread during Passover and gave thanks. It is the word that inspires some Christians to describe the Lord’s Supper as The Holy Eucharist. Embedded in the middle of this Greek word is another. Charis is the word we translate as “grace”. At the heart of eucharista is charis. At the heart of gratitude and thanksgiving is grace.

When Paul encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances it is not that we are to feel good about what is happening and therefore excuse it. Paul is saying that in all circumstances we are to embrace grace. At the heart of every response should be grace. We have received grace, and we are called to show grace. When we let grace be the center of our experience we will respond with gratitude and thanks in all circumstances. 

Settling our hearts in grace allows us to be joyful always, content despite our circumstances. Praying continually allows grace to be the center of our experience. God’s will for us is revealed as we rest in God’s grace. 

I pray for God’s grace to shower the core of our lives this Thanksgiving week so that we too can give thanks in all circumstances.