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EP 66: Giving Thanks in All Things

by Marci Ferrell
Christian Living Podcast

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Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Gratitude is an attitude that honors God. It acknowledges that He is the giver of all things. #thankful #thanksgiving @thankfulhomemaker
Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Gratitude is an attitude that honors God. It acknowledges that He is the giver of all things. #thankful #thanksgiving @thankfulhomemaker

Inside:  Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Gratitude is an attitude that honors God. It acknowledges that He is the giver of all things.

Giving thanks in all things @mferrell

My heart doesn’t tend to go towards giving thanks during difficult circumstances in my life. Honestly, my heart doesn’t automatically go to giving thanks even in the good times of my life. I’m reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that giving thanks in all things is God’s will for us.

You can read the post below (6 minutes) or listen to the podcast, where I share a bit more information (21 minutes). 

 

Find all podcast episodes or subscribe to the podcast here. 

Related Articles:

Giving Thanks in the Storms of Life

When We Complain

Giving Thanks in Difficult Circumstances

Motherhood reminds me that we’re not born with a bent towards thankfulness. Not only am I dealing with my own grumbling complaining spirit, now I have children who are so good at it too. Our children don’t come out of the womb with thanksgiving on their lips. I lived this out with my kids but now get to do it again when I’m with my grandkids. How often did, or do I have to remind them as littles (and bigs) to say “thank you.” It is learned and taught and a caught response.

As much as I’m training my children and now grandchildren to be thankful, I find myself at times living my daily life as it states in Romans 1:21 – “neither were they thankful.”

Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Gratitude is an attitude that honors God. It acknowledges that He is the giver of all things.

Ingratitude is a sin that fails to acknowledge God as the giver of all things. Click to Tweet

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it states:

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We’re given three exhortations in those verses: Rejoice, pray, and be thankful. Why? Because this is God’s will. Joyful, prayerful, and thankful Christians make the gospel attractive to a watching world.

When things are going well, it’s easy to be thankful. Unbelievers are thankful when conditions are favorable. But what about when life’s situations aren’t conducive to thankfulness. When illness strikes, or loneliness, depression, broken relationships, financial difficulties, or the death of a loved one?

How do we give thanks then? Do we just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and say, “Well, God’s Word says I’m to be thankful, so I’m going to give it my best shot.”

If we look back at 1 Thessalonians 5:18, there are two things we need to focus on from that verse. The first is “in Christ,” and the second is “God’s will.” It is God’s will for us to be thankful, and in Christ, we are equipped as believers to do this.

In Christ:

Second Corinthians 5:17 is a verse we memorize as new believers: 

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.

When God opened our eyes and heart to the gospel, and we repented of our sins and put our faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation; A great exchange took place.

At the moment of salvation, our sin was imputed to Christ, and He was made to be sin for us. Christ’s righteousness was imputed to us, and when God looks at us, He now sees the righteousness of Christ. When this transfer happened, we were made new creations in Christ. The old has gone, and the new has come. We have been spiritually born again. We are now reconciled to God because of the work of Jesus on our behalf.

At the moment of salvation, we were given new hearts and minds that desire to obey and please God. God’s Spirit at work in us enables us to give thanks in all things because it is His will for us.

God’s Will:

Why should we be thankful? Because it states in 1 Thessalonians, “For this is God’s will for you.”

David Guzik states about 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“After each one of these exhortations – rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks – we are told to do them because it is the will of God. The thought isn’t, “this is God’s will, so you must do it.” The thought is rather, “this is God’s will, so you can do it.” It isn’t easy to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, but we can do it because it is God’s will.”

The reminder in Romans 1:21 is man by nature is ungrateful. Being transformed by grace is the only way we will indeed have thankful hearts inwardly and not just outwardly.

God’s will is not a mysterious secret that we need to decode. It is laid out for us in His Word. To know His will, we need to know Him, and to know Him, we need to spend time with Him in the Word and prayer.

The more we know about someone, the more we know about their desires and likes and dislikes. Marriage is an excellent example of this. I love my husband and want to please him. Our life together is continually learning how to please and serve one another. Why? Because we love each other.

God’s Providence:

Understanding the doctrine of the providence of God at work in our lives is key to giving thanks in all things.

Understanding the doctrine of the providence of God at work in our lives is key to giving thanks in all things. Click to Tweet

J. I. Packer defines providence:
“The providence of God is the unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.”

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 10:29-30

A sparrow is the tiniest of creatures, and yet God is aware of everything that happens to them. The hairs on our head are numbered by Him. His providence guides and governs even the seemingly insignificant and mundane moments of our lives.

Giving thanks to God is a reminder that He is in control of all things. God is continually working in my life, all the various circumstances to conform me into the image of His Son. He is a good God, and I’m thankful to serve such a Father who takes care of even the minutest details of my life. He sees all and has purpose in all.

Giving Thanks in All Things:

As I sat with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 the other morning, I made some notes while praying through it to share today.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

1 Thessalonians 5:18

-Not some but all

-As Christians, our lives are to be marked by thanksgiving.

-It is an imperative – a command.

-The commands of God help us to glorify Him, enjoy Him, and live the free and abundant life we have in Christ.

-The opposite of giving thanks is murmuring or complaining.

-When I complain against my circumstances, I am complaining against the one true God who has designed every circumstance of my life

-I desire my attitude to be one of gratitude.

-I owe everything to God; how can I not be thankful?

-I must practice thanksgiving in every circumstance (Romans 8:28 is a reminder)

-Ingratitude is a sin (Romans 1:21)

-There is always something to be thankful for – even on the seemingly darkest days. There is still an abundance of blessings.

-I need to pray for eyes of faith and an eternal perspective.

My last thought is a bit longer:

We often hear it says we don’t need to give thanks for the hard circumstances but just in them. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This is hard, and as I pondered through this one, I was reminded how often in those hard trials—the ones I would’ve never asked for —those are the ones where the Lord drew me closest, and my faith strengthened.  I’m not saying we need to pray for trials but I do know the Lord works in mysterious ways that I will not fully comprehend while on this earth. This world is hard, and the older I get, the more I desire the future joy promised—Heaven. One day soon I will see Jesus and be like Him. One day soon, I will be free from sin and experience, full joy. One day soon, God is going to complete this work He began in me. God wants our eyes on the future joy He’s promised us. 

These are truths we all know, and I haven’t shared anything profound in this list, but they are ones I need to be reminded of daily, and if I do, I think you do too. 

The providence of God is my foundation of being secure in trying circumstances. I’m reminded that God is working all things for my good and His glory.

When I find my heart grumbling and complaining, I'm questioning God's wisdom in His work in my heart and life.. Click to Tweet

When I find my heart grumbling and complaining, I’m questioning God’s wisdom in His work in my heart and life.

My lack of thanksgiving shows a prideful heart. It’s saying that I believe I know what is better for me than God does.

I can’t control the circumstances of my life, but I can control how I respond to them. God is working, and there is purpose in everything. I desire my heart to be one of gratitude and thankfulness. I don’t want to be known as a complainer. I want to be known as a woman who loves and trusts her God, knowing that He is for her and working out everything in her life for her good and His glory.

May we be women who desire to be known for their thankful hearts to God for whatever in His wisdom He deems to allow for our lives. Will we respond naturally or supernaturally?

May we find ourselves:
Rejoicing always.
Praying without ceasing.
Giving thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

“Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God.” 
 ~Jerry Bridges

Related Resources:

Free Resource Library – PDF Download of Letter mentioned in the podcast

Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources

Planning a Christ-Focused Thanksgiving Dinner

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Become a patron at Patreon!

Related posts:

  1. Giving Thanks in the Storms of Life
  2. Giving Thanks in Difficult Circumstances
  3. Giving Thanks to God in All Things
  4. EP 120: Lovingly Giving and Accepting Correction


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Marci Ferrell
It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is anot It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is another’s, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity.⁣
~ Matthew Henry⁣
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Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Whether you're running errands, doing household ch Whether you're running errands, doing household chores, or sipping your coffee, you can do it in style, reminding yourself and others you are a Thankful Homemaker 🥰⁣
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Shop TH Gear at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
What do you think of when you hear the word discer What do you think of when you hear the word discernment? The dictionary defines it as making a distinction between good and evil and truth and falsehood. As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures, the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will.⁣
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We become discerning people by not just knowing what to think but how to think. Being spiritually discerning is an ability to see the world the way God does. This comes about as we grow and mature spiritually into the likeness of Christ. It is about seeing “All That's Good.”⁣
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Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
“Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench i “Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench into our coping mechanisms. It brings us to the end of what we can control and forces us to cry out to God. God doesn’t waste our waiting. He uses it to conform us to the image of his Son.”⁣
~ Betsy Childs Howard⁣
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Listen in to EP 23: Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding mysel As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding myself in a waiting room on the Lord, and it’s been a long one, and I don’t see an end near.  It has reminded me that when I gave myself to Him, I gave up my “right” to be in charge. The reality is we never were in charge anyway; we just came to that understanding when the Lord opened our eyes to His sovereign control over our lives.⁣
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Even though it is a truth I know or we know, how many times do we want to think that somehow we can effect change in our life situations?⁣
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Waiting is hard because there is no guarantee that my waiting will end in this lifetime. One thing I have learned – my waiting has deepened my trust in the Lord and has helped me to develop patience, perseverance, and endurance.⁣
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It’s also given me different eyes to see with compassion others who are in a season of waiting.⁣
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Listen in to EP 23 Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Six questions I have written in my Bible that have Six questions I have written in my Bible that have been a help to me over the years may be a help to you, too, to be prayerful and slow to speak. These are helpful questions not just in our friendships but in our marriages and with our children, and truly any of our relationships:⁣
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1. Is this the time to say this?⁣
2. Am I the person to say this?⁣
3. Is it necessary?⁣
4. Is it true?⁣
5. Is it kind?⁣
6. Do I need to say this?⁣
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Listen in to EP 140: Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
We all know that fostering true biblical friendshi We all know that fostering true biblical friendship isn’t easy – it takes work. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we’re going to have trouble in this world, and trouble does touch all our lives in various areas, but this includes our friendships too.⁣
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We’ll be hurt; we’ll be the ones hurting others; selfishness is a battle; jealousy and envy raise their ugly heads; we have our fears and insecurities, failed expectations, the damage our tongues do to one another, not appropriating the gospel and these all come from hearts that are still battling sin. ⁣
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So when these threats to our friendship with one another in Christ come up, it shouldn’t surprise us that we have these issues, but what we need to keep at the forefront of our minds is how we respond and deal with them when they do come up. ⁣
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I want to walk us through some of these threats, and this list I’m working with isn’t exhaustive – there are many more threats than what I am addressing today – but these are areas that stood out to me that have been a battle within some of my friendships over the years. Sadly, it is often the sin I’m battling in my heart, and I need to get my thinking, attitudes, and actions lined up with God’s Word.⁣
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Listen to EP 140 Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
May we be women who are willing to return to the a May we be women who are willing to return to the authority of God’s Word, embrace God’s priorities for our lives and homes, and live out the beauty and wonder of womanhood as God created it to be.⁣
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Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction by trying to be "like" men and shedding their uniqueness as a female.  They will only find satisfaction in Christ.⁣
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