Two-minute read.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In” all circumstances, not “for” all circumstances. Giving thanks to God “in” all circumstances makes all the difference when applying this verse to our lives. Miserable, awful, tragic things happen in life; the Lord doesn’t expect us to thank Him for those things, but amid them, we can find hope when we discover something praiseworthy.
Corrie Ten Boom spent ten months in a Natzi prison, arrested for hiding Jews. Landing in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp with her sister Betsie, they smuggled a Bible into Barracks 28, a dismal, flea-infested place.
“‘That’s it, Corrie! That’s His answer. “Give thanks in all circumstances!” That’s what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!’
Betsie Ten Boom1
As fleas nipped at Corrie’s legs, her sister focused on today’s verse and found things to thank God for “in” the midst of their terrible situation: assigned to the same barracks, the Bible the guards didn’t see, the other women in the prison, the crowded room of people that could hear the gospel, for the fleas that kept the guards away and allowed them to do Bible study.
“‘Give thanks in all circumstances,’ she quoted. It doesn’t say, ‘in pleasant circumstances.’ Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.”
Betsie Ten Boom
Betsie explains this verse better than I ever could. “In,” not “for,” find things to thank God whatever your circumstances. Betsie died in Ravensbrück two weeks before they released the prisoners; her heart tuned to God with words of thanksgiving for the fleas.
Praise:
Praise God in our circumstances, not for them.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example Betsie set for Corrie and us with her obedience to You amid horrible circumstances. As we traverse the day ahead, help us find things to thank You for in our circumstances. Let our hearts praise You in the events, not for them.
IJNIP. Amen
