April 18
The Power
of Thankfulness in Pain
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Daily Steps
The final and perhaps most difficult act of surrender in prayer is practicing thankfulness—not just for blessings, but in all circumstances, including times of difficulty and pain. For the new believer, this act unlocks a profound level of peace.
The peace in this command is rooted in God's will:
The Universal Command: The instruction is to "give thanks in all circumstances," not for all circumstances. You don't have to be thankful for the pain itself, but you can be thankful in it because God is present and active.
The Source of Peace: This practice "is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." When you are intentionally thankful, you are aligning your heart with God's perfect will, which is the definition of true peace. Thankfulness shifts your focus from the overwhelming size of the problem to the overwhelming greatness of God.
The Faith Act: Thankfulness is an act of faith that precedes the resolution. It is saying, "I do not understand this difficulty, but I thank You, God, that You are good, You are sovereign, and You will use this for my good." This spiritual discipline disarms fear and anxiety.
Your peace in difficulty is secured by choosing to be thankful. This aligns your will with God’s will, transforming a painful circumstance into an opportunity for deep, abiding trust.
Reflective Question
What is one thing about your current difficulty (e.g., God’s presence, the lesson you are learning, the support of a friend) that you can sincerely give thanks for today? How does that specific act of thankfulness reduce your anxiety?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that giving thanks in my pain is hard. I pray for the spiritual discipline to obey Your will. Help me to consciously give thanks in all circumstances today, trusting that You are sovereign and that You are good. May this thankfulness align my heart with Yours, securing my peace even in this difficulty. Amen.
