…give thanks in all circumstances. (I Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)
Bad Things
It is easy to be thankful for sunsets, babies, and bacon. It feels harder to be thankful…. honestly thankful… for things like taxes, stomach aches, and draughts.
But the adjective ALL means all.
Maybe it is helpful to realize what we are saying when we thank God for hard times, circumstances, and situations.
We are not saying that we LIKE the bad thing.
We are not saying that somehow, we are mature enough to understand the depth of God’s providence even in the pain.
We are not saying that our eyesight has changed and we now see that what was bad is no longer bad.
But God’s children, adopted through Christ Jesus… know that God’s love, God’s sovereignty, God’s wisdom, God’s providence, God’s power, God’s goodness, and God’s kindness are all at work. And therefore, we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
And that enables us to at least say the words of thanks. To begin to think the words of thanks. To trust God enough to want to say the words of thanks.
And thus, to be able to give thanks in all circumstances.