God's Thanksgiving Desire

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  “What does God want from me, and what does he want for me?” These two big questions nag us throughout life. We try to decide on a career, a school, a spouse - or even smaller things, like what book to read, film to see, or game to play. And we may wonder, “What does God want?”  Well, one thing is clear: God wants us to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks!  The adverb “always” trips us up. How is it possible to rejoice always? How can we give thanks when we are sick or in a recession, or when we get a poor grade or lose a friend? It must be possible, or God would not “will” it for us.  Moreover, Paul makes it plain enough, even adding that we are to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Did you know that, in the Greek, the word “rejoice” and “give thanks” are related? Both words have “grace” as their root. I wonder if it’s because verse 18 says that it’s, “In Christ Jesus.”?  As Elder Robby Kissling shares with us this week, and as we center ourselves around Thanksgiving themes this Sunday and next week, how might we give thanks to God every day? How might we “rejoice” on more days than Thanksgiving? And what does it mean to give thanks IN all circumstances as opposed to giving thanks FOR all circumstances?