Why Give Thanks in All Circumstances

I imagine you are like me; I dislike suffering. However, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

All circumstances? Really, God? Of course, we thank God for the blessings in our lives, but give thanks for disease, despair, depression, disappointment, distress, and deception? (To name just a few circumstances we would rather avoid.)

Why should we give thanks in all circumstances, even suffering?

We grow closer to God

In the Bible, Joseph was the second to youngest and the favorite of the 12 sons of Jacob (the inheritor of the promises made to his grandfather Abraham).

Talk about suffering. Joseph suffered for 14 years.

• His brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery.
• The wife of his master falsely accused him of rape. So, his master threw him into prison for a crime he did not commit.
• Joseph interpreted dreams of two fellow prisoners, but was betrayed by one who promised to help him.

God never left Joseph in his suffering. The words “The Lord was with Joseph” occur 4 times in Genesis chapter 39 (Genesis 39:2, 3, 21, 23).

When diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, I wondered if God caused me to have cancer as a punishment for everything I had done wrong in my life. Because of my cancer diagnosis, I found my way back to loving God and desiring to follow Jesus.

I know now that God is always with us in our suffering. God’s plan was not for me to have cancer, but to grow closer to Him.

Suffering develops our character

God is working in our suffering. There are lessons He teaches us to develop our character.

Joseph was only 17 years old when his brothers sold him to slave traders. Imagine a young boy, pampered by his father, carried off to a foreign country where he didn’t know the language or customs.

Every painful experience Joseph endured helped him to fulfill God’s plan for him. He learned the Egyptian language, customs, and management and people skills while a slave and later as an assistant to the prison warden. God continued to bless Joseph in all he did (Genesis 39:3-4, Genesis 39:21-23). God gave Joseph success and prepared him for His plans to be second in command to Pharaoh in Egypt and save the nation of Israel from starvation during seven years of famine.

Suffering allows us to help others

God never wastes our pain. He has a plan to turn your pain into your purpose, to help others going through similar circumstances.

The Bible says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NLT).

For example, after I finished my treatments for breast cancer, I spent several years working on a breast cancer hotline, helping other women, men, and families affected by breast cancer.

Also, my friend Maryanne, who lost her husband several years ago, supports and encourages her friend going through the same experience.

God uses our suffering for good

The story of Joseph has a happy ending. Joseph reconciles with his brothers and his father, Jacob. When Joseph was 30 years old, Pharaoh promoted him to second in command over all of Egypt. In this capacity, Joseph’s plan to conserve and store food for a future famine saves his family and many others from starvation (Genesis 41:41-43, Genesis 41:46-42:5).

When Joseph’s brothers begged for forgiveness, Joseph replied, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

Final words

Friend, I know how difficult it is to give thanks in all circumstances. Instead, we say, “why me, Lord?” Sometimes God reveals why and sometimes not. All we can do is trust in God’s faithfulness and know He has a plan for us. And remember, God is always with us in our suffering.

What difficult circumstance in your life will you thank God for?

Read the entire story of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-50.