Thelema & Laud-ease

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s easy to focus on the familiar traditions—gathering with family, sharing a meal, and reflecting on the blessings in our lives. But the Bible challenges us to take thanksgiving beyond just one day. Instead of thanksgiving being a holiday, it should become a lifestyle. This week, we explored how to embrace a life of “thanksliving,” rooted in God’s will for us, as described in **1 Thessalonians 5:16–18**:  

*"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."*  

God’s Will: Thelēma and a Grateful Heart
The Apostle Paul calls us to give thanks *in all circumstances,* not just the good ones. The Greek word for “will” in this passage is *thelēma,* which means God’s desire, purpose, or intent. This isn’t a casual suggestion—it’s part of God’s plan for our lives. When we live with gratitude, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and reflect His heart to the world.  

But let’s be honest: giving thanks in all circumstances is not always easy. Life can be filled with challenges—pain, loss, and uncertainty. Yet, God calls us to gratitude, not because He denies our hardships, but because He is present with us through them.  

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
Notice Paul doesn’t say, “Give thanks *for* all circumstances.” There’s a big difference! We’re not called to be thankful for injustice, pain, or suffering. Instead, we’re called to give thanks *in* those circumstances because of who God is and what He promises us:  

• God is present: In Deuteronomy 31:6, God promises, *“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”* Even in the darkest seasons, we can give thanks for His constant presence. 
• God understands: Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our struggles because He faced suffering Himself.
• God comforts and strengthens us: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls God the *“Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”* Through the Holy Spirit, He encourages and strengthens us during trials.  

When we embrace this perspective, thanksgiving becomes more than words we say—it transforms our hearts and minds. Gratitude shifts our focus from our struggles to God’s faithfulness.  

Moving from Thanksgiving to Thanksliving  
So, how do we live this out? Thanksliving means carrying a heart of gratitude into every moment of our lives. Here are a few practical steps:

1. Start your day with gratitude: Before you even get out of bed, thank God for the gift of a new day. 
2. Look for blessings in every situation: Even in hardships, ask God to help you see His hand at work.
3. Turn worries into prayers of thanks: When anxiety rises, respond by thanking God for His promises and faithfulness.
4. Encourage others with your gratitude: Share how God has been faithful in your life. Gratitude is contagious!  

Discussion Questions
As you reflect on this week’s message, consider the following questions to help you put these truths into practice:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What are ways you can move from thanksgiving to “thanksliving”?
3. What is the difference between giving thanks *for* all circumstances and giving thanks *in* all circumstances? How does giving thanks in all situations transform your attitude and perspective?
4. When you go through difficulty and hard times, how can you move your heart toward giving thanks in your trials and pain?
5. How has God been faithful to you during a very challenging season?  

Living in God’s Will
As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, let’s remember that God’s will for us is not just to give thanks on one day but to live lives of continual gratitude. Through His presence, His understanding, and His comfort, we can move from occasional thanksgiving to daily thanksliving.  

Let’s take this journey together, embracing *thelēma*—God’s will—and walking forward in gratitude, joy, and trust.