“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, CSB).
There is one time of year when Americans focus on giving thanks more than any other. We have an entire day set aside and named for it. Everyone gathers together to celebrate and express gratitude for friends, family, and provisions. Thanksgiving is an all-around wonderful day. If we could somehow manage to adopt that mindset every day, we would honor God and more closely follow God’s will for us.
If you are like me and so many others, we have often wondered, “What is God’s will for my life?” It can seem like a question without any solid answer. But in the Bible, God gives us a very clear explanation of His will for us. We are told to “rejoice always, pray constantly, [and] give thanks in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). That seems like a pretty tall order, to do something (anything) constantly and in the midst of everything. And it is a tall order—too tall for any human—if we are trying to do it on our own.
Our minds wander, we don’t stay in the Lord’s presence, and we don’t instantly see what is worth giving thanks for in the midst of a difficult or trying situation. That’s pretty normal for humans. And yet, we know that God has our best interest in mind and He told us to do this. So, it must be a good thing for us to practice. Science has even shown that giving thanks makes people feel better, improves sleep quality, improves relationships, and reduces stress and depression.
Think of it this way: God knew when He made us, how our bodies would best operate, and what things would make us feel better. Accordingly, He told us to “give thanks in everything” because that’s how our bodies would operate best, even if it takes practice! So, try starting a new habit today (ask God to help you with it). Find a way every day to give thanks and show gratitude, then at the end of the day, jot something you are thankful for down in the notes on your phone or in a journal before you go to bed. You’ll find that being obedient in this one thing can have a huge positive impact on your mindset and on your life.