The Hard Truth About Thankfulness – Greg Laurie Devotion – March 26, 2026

Biblical Context

The letter of 1 Thessalonians was penned by the Apostle Paul, likely from Corinth, sometime around A.D. 50-51. This makes it one of his earliest epistles, sent to a relatively young church in Thessalonica, a major port city in Macedonia (modern-day Greece). Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, had established this church during his second missionary journey, but their stay was cut short by opposition from Jewish leaders. Paul had to leave, but he felt a strong connection to these new believers, craving to see them again.

The Thessalonian church faced pressure and persecution almost from its beginning. They were living in a Gentile city with strong pagan influences, and holding onto their new Christian faith was not easy. Paul wrote this letter to encourage them, strengthen their faith in the face of trials, and clear up some misunderstandings, especially concerning the return of Christ. He also offered practical guidance on how to live a life that honors God, emphasizing love, holiness, and perseverance. In this setting of a struggling, yet faithful, community, Paul gives clear instructions for daily living, including the surprising command to be thankful, no matter what.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “thankful” from 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The Greek word used here is eucharisteō (εὐχαριστέω). It means to show gratitude, to be thankful, or to give thanks. This isn’t just a casual acknowledgment; it carries the idea of expressing heartfelt gratitude, often to God, for His goodness and grace.

The root of this word, “charis,” means grace or favor. So, when you are “eucharisteō,” you are essentially responding to God’s grace with grace back to Him. It’s a conscious act of recognizing God’s hand, His presence, and His ultimate control in your life, even when things are hard. It’s a response of worship and trust, choosing to see beyond your immediate pain to the bigger picture of God’s love and sovereignty. It’s not about forcing an emotion, but making a deliberate choice to express gratitude as an act of faith.

The Remarkable Story of Fleas

Corrie ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, tells an amazing story that shows us just how much being thankful matters. Corrie and her sister Betsie were locked up in Ravensbrück, a concentration camp. Their barracks were full of fleas. These tiny pests were everywhere — in their hair, on their bodies, making life even more miserable than it already was.

One day, Betsie told Corrie they needed to give thanks for the fleas. Corrie really thought Betsie had lost it. She couldn’t imagine giving thanks for something so terrible. But Betsie stood firm, reminding her sister that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances” (nlt). Corrie still didn’t want to thank God for the fleas. But God had a plan, a plan that only became clear later.

Corrie and Betsie had been working to reach the other women in their barracks with the gospel. They held secret Bible studies. What they found out later was eye-opening: because of the fleas, the guards would not step foot into those barracks. This meant the women had the freedom to hold their Bible studies without anyone stopping them. They were able to minister to many women. You see, God can use even fleas to work His will.

Thankful in All Circumstances, Not Just Some

If the Bible simply said, “Be thankful in some circumstances,” we’d all say, “No problem there!” We’re good at being thankful when things are easy or go our way. But God’s Word tells us, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” That’s not an easy thing to do, is it? Yet, it’s absolutely necessary because God’s Word says, “this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It’s not just a suggestion; it’s what God wants for you. And it’s also really good for you.

How Thankfulness Changes Everything

Your attitude really does change your circumstances. Being thankful won’t undo bad things that have happened. It won’t stop hard times and suffering from coming your way. But when you face life with a spirit of thankfulness and joy, you change the way you relate to your circumstances. You start to see them in a different way. You see them as part of God’s big, faithful plan for your life.

More Than Just “Glass Half Full”

This isn’t just about choosing to be a “glass half full” person or trying to “always look on the bright side of life.” It’s much deeper than that. It’s about choosing to see God at work in your life, no matter how bad things get. It’s about letting yourself be wrapped up in His presence when life feels like it’s going to crush you. It’s about staying in constant touch with Him during trials and never forgetting the amazing gift it is to be able to talk to Him anytime.

Your Thankfulness Touches Others

Keeping a thankful heart won’t just change your own life; it will also change the lives of people around you. Nothing speaks louder about the power of the Christian faith than someone who stays faithful and thankful when things are going wrong. You become a living example of God’s power and peace in a world that desperately needs to see it.

In All Circumstances, Not For All Circumstances

It’s important to understand this: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t say you should be thankful *for* all circumstances, but rather *in* all circumstances. There are many things that happen that you’re not happy about. You don’t have to be glad *for* the pain or the loss. But you can be glad that, despite the tragedies, God is still on His throne. He is still in control of everything that surrounds your life. He is with you through it all, and that’s something to always be thankful for.