“A faithful Christian does not have to enjoy everything that happens in life, but can find a reason to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in every circumstance,” posted Mark Posey on the Facebook page Pulpit Preview.

Today’s blog post is based on a chart he posted, which he suggested preachers use as a good Thanksgiving sermon.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Paul exhorted: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

These three admonitions apply equally well in every situation, circumstance, and challenge in life, regardless of the season or time of year.

#1 Always Rejoice

Joy is different from happiness. Happiness often depends on outward circumstances. Christian joy is rooted in our inward relationship with Christ. Happiness often occurs by chance. Joy involves a choice. Happiness can fluctuate with what happens to us. Joy can endure because of the hope God gives us.

The Christian’s joy is rooted in Christ, not circumstances.

The Christian’s joy is sustained by faith, not feelings.

The Christian’s joy is strengthened by hope, not happenstance.

This doesn’t mean we rejoice FOR every circumstance, but we can rejoice IN every circumstance because we belong to Christ.

Thus, Paul can exclaim: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).

#2 Always Pray

Always? How is this possible? Warren Wiersbe was right when he wrote:

“‘Pray without ceasing’ does not mean we must always be mumbling prayers. The word means ‘constantly recurring,’ not continuously occurring.”

In other words, we should not lose heart and quit praying, but persistently continue in prayer (Lk. 18:1–8).

Consider the importance and impact of prayer for a Christian as we rely on God in every circumstance in life.

Prayer…

…connects us to the Creator of the universe.

…provides a means of communication with our Father.

…sustains our communion with Christ.

…heightens our spiritual fellowship.

…emboldens us in the face of fear.

…reminds us of our dependence upon God.

…humbles us as we surrender to His will.

…encourages us with the Holy Spirit’s intercession (Rom. 8:26–27).

…reminds us of our insufficiency and finite nature.

…seeks God’s wisdom for our decisions (Jas. 1:5).

…empowers us when we feel weak.

…allows us to intercede for family, friends, and brethren.

…seeks our Father’s forgiveness as we confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9).

…keeps us focused on our eternal goal.

You can’t reach forward spiritually apart from prayer.

Thus, pray in times of trouble (Jas. 5:13). Pray in times of triumph (Ps. 105:1). And pray in times of testing (Matt. 26:41).

#3 Always Give Thanks

A familiar story told about Scottish minister Alexander Whyte illustrates this attitude. Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be thankful.

One Sunday morning the weather was awful. It was a dark, dreary, and stormy day. One church member thought to himself, “Well, the preacher won’t have anything to be thankful for on a day like this.”

Whyte began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.”

Remember, gratitude need not be determined by what happens TO us. It is rooted in what God has done FOR us.

Today, you can thank God for His goodness (Ps. 107:1). Thank God for His grace (2 Cor. 9:15). Thank God for His guidance (Prov. 3:5–6).

Matthew Henry offered this insight in his Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22: “We should rejoice more, if we prayed more.”

Then he adds:

“If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing.”  Henry’s expression, “shall not want matter” means we will never lack reasons to give thanks

Indeed, these three commands belong together. Prayer keeps us close to God. That relationship gives us reason to rejoice. And even in difficult days, we can find blessings for which to give thanks.

Always rejoice. Always pray. Always give thanks. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman