Thanksgiving when thanks is hard

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 The New King James Version

Recently I wrote an article about God's will for your life and sexual purity.

When we think about God’s will for our lives, we may focus on outward behaviors like purity or sanctification. And while these are vital, 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 reminds us that God’s will goes beyond what we do in putting off certain sins. The sanctification of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 is meant to lead us to deeper communion and enjoyment of God. He calls us to be a people marked by rejoicing, prayer, and gratitude in all circumstances. But how do we live this out when life feels heavy?

But, let's be honest there are a lot of you this week that life has been hard on. Some of you are greiving death. Some of you are struggling in your marriage. Some of you have suffered job loss. Some of you are dealing with hard relationships with your children. How do you find joy? How do you pray? How do you give thanks when things are so dark and bleak?

Suffering is part of the human experience. For Christians, these moments may even test our trust in God’s will. Yet, 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 encourages us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything, because this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. These words are not empty commands. No, they are the Holy Spirit's call to rely on the Lord in all circumstances, even the darkest of times.

Rejoice Always: A Hope That Lifts Us

Rejoicing does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means finding joy in God’s promises, even when life is overwhelming. Paul writes these words to believers who knew suffering. Death, persecution, and trials were their constant companions. Still, Paul calls them, and us, to "rejoice always". Why? Because our joy is anchored in the Lord, not in our circumstances.

The psalmist reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When we feel weak, joy in Christ strengthens us. Even in the mundane moments of life, joy in God’s blessings sustains us. From the simple pleasure of morning coffee to the faithful provision of food and shelter, we can rejoice. More deeply, we rejoice because Jesus has conquered death and secured eternal life for us.

A friend once shared with me that when grief weighed him down, he found strength by focusing on one simple truth: God is faithful. Even in tears, he could trust God’s goodness. Joy isn’t about denying pain. True biblical joy is about trusting God to carry us through pain and hardship.

Pray Without Ceasing: A Lifeline to the Father

Prayer is more than another task on the todo list. Prayer is part of a vital relationship with God. When God says to "pray without ceasing", he invites us into a life of constant communion with God. In times of suffering, prayer becomes our lifeline. Our prayer closet becomes a place where we pour out our hearts to the One who knows and cares.

Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn It Is Well with My Soul as he dealt with a life marked by one tragedy after another. He was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago, but his fortune was wiped out in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Around the same time, his son died of scarlet fever, leaving him and his wife, Anna, heartbroken.

Seeking rest for his family, Spafford planned a trip to Europe. Business delayed him, so he sent Anna and their four daughters ahead, promising to join them soon. On their journey, tragedy struck again. The ship carrying his family collided with another vessel and sank rapidly. Anna survived, clinging to a piece of wreckage. But, all four of their daughters drowned. When she reached land, Anna sent Spafford a telegram with just two haunting words: “Saved alone.”

Devastated, Spafford boarded a ship to join his grieving wife. As the ship passed near the place where his daughters had died, the captain pointed out the spot. Spafford, overwhelmed by the depth of his loss, retreated to his cabin. It was there, in that moment of heartbreak, that he penned the words to It Is Well with My Soul.

His prayerful reflection poured out in lyrics that have comforted generations:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Spafford's heart was anchored in the promises of God. Spafford’s peace did not come from understanding the “why” of his suffering but from trusting the “who.” He trusted the God who loved him and promised never to leave him. Prayer gave him strength to declare, even in his grief, that his soul was secure in Christ.

Give Thanks in Everything: Gratitude That Transforms

Gratitude in suffering may seem impossible. Yet, it is one of the most powerful ways we can trust God’s will. Paul doesn’t say to give thanks for everything but in everything. Even when life feels overwhelming, we can find reasons to be thankful. Why? Because God is still good. His promises are still true. And, His presence is still with us.

There's a story of a christian woman who was imprisoned during China’s Cultural Revolution. Each day, she received only a small bowl of rice. Her routine was to line up each grain around the perimeter of her table and then thanked God for something with each bite.

Imagine it! In such dire circumstances she thanked God. How often do I take God’s blessings for granted? How hard is it for me to give thanks in all things?

Jesus Himself gave us the ultimate example. On the night He was betrayed, as He prepared to face the cross, He gave thanks (Luke 22:19). If our Savior could thank His Father in the shadow of the cross, surely we can find reasons to give thanks in our trials.

Gratitude doesn’t ignore pain. Spirit fueled thanksgiving acknowledges that God is present and working, even when we can’t see it.

Conclusion

When life feels heavy, when the path ahead seems unclear, remember this: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Draw near to the One who loves you and carries you through every trial.

Lift your eyes to the Lord. Rejoice in His goodness. Pray in every circumstance. Give thanks for His mercies. In doing so, you’ll find His will not as a burden but as a blessing. Even when life is hard, His grace is sufficient, and His love never fails.