1 Thessalonians 5:18 | Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude 1 Thess. 5:18

Big Idea: An attitude of Gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances but rather a faith choice that results in our great good and grows our faith like very few things.

Acts 16:6-25 Paul goes to Macedonia based on a vision and is beaten and imprisoned illegally as he is a Roman citizen. But he praises God in his suffering. How does Paul write 1 Thess. 5:18- to Rejoice always, pray constantly and Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 4 reasons why Paul could do this despite unjust beatings and persecutions:

1. Godly Growth: Although faith is a gift from God, it can be grown through our circumstances if we let it. In trials in this broken world, we can get bitter or better. We rejoice in all things knowing it grows faith like nothing else.

2. God’s Governance: (sovereignty). God was working this to good in all circumstances (Rom.8:28) with the goal of leading them to be “governed by God”. Paul is unjustly jailed in Philippi, and praises at midnight! How? How does Paul say in Philippians 4 that he knows the secret of being content in all circumstances? God was on the move. (Psalm 69:30) “I will praise the name of God with a song, I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Praise and Thanksgiving make us into telescopes (Piper). While self-focus give us a microscope mentality where we make something small, larger.

3. Glimpse of Glory: 2 Cor. 4 Paul says we are fragile jars of clay and it’s easy to get sidetracked by focusing on the pressing and crushing. The antidote: v.17 nothing we go through compares to the eternal weight of glory. They are light and momentary compared to eternity.

4. GPS: Gratitude Positioning System. Phil. 4:8 dwelling on gratitude seems to position us in a place for flourishing. Happiness lab suggestions: Find practical ways of purposeful expressions. Ex: writing thank-you notes; or keeping gratitude journals and write down three things you are grateful for each day and reflect on how it impacts your mood and perspective.

Thankfulness Cue at 5:18pm. Set a phone calendar reminder @ 5:18 to pause and thank God.

Grow Group Questions (or questions you can ask on your own):

1. Share an experience where gratitude changed your perspective on a difficult situation or strengthened your faith.
2. How do you see God’s governance at work in your life now (how did it develop gratitude?)
3. In what ways can focusing on eternity change your response to current challenges? How did this help Paul endure suffering?
4. What practical steps can you take to dwell more on what is true, lovely, and praiseworthy?
5. What habits or practices have helped you maintain a gratitude-focused life?

Extra credit notes:

I analyzed every scripture on giving thanks. And here is my summary: There are two primary reasons to praise God that you see repeated over and over.

1. Because of who God is (his Character and love)
   1. His goodness and enduring love (repeated 26x in Ps. 136 alone)
   2. Faithfulness across generations
2. What He has done and will do.
   1. Daily provision, protection and blessings
   2. Deliverance and victory over enemies
   3. His sovereignty
   4. Redemption and Transformation
   5. His promises fulfilled and promises yet to be fulfilled

When we acknowledge these two things in gratitude, it guards our hearts and minds. It prevents grumbling; gives perspective; replaces anxiety with peace and contentment.