“Everything” is a pretty big category. If you have everything, there’s nothing left out. We’re going to talk about “everything” today.
Can you imagine being thankful in every situation? Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Yet that is exactly what God asks us to do. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, He says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” “In everything.”
Ephesians 5:20 puts it this way: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God…” Giving thanks always—that’s a timing word. Some things are just so untimely, aren’t they? You’re hurrying to get work done on time and you have a flat tire; and you say, “Not now, Lord!”
Then it says, “Giving thanks for all things.” Well, that’s an event word. The doctor looks at you and says, “It’s cancer,” and you say, “Not this, Lord!” Always, and for all things. In other words, “in everything.”
This word “everything” is the Greek word pan, and refers to each and every aspect of the whole thing. Nothing is left out. Wow! How unnatural—how impossible! …unless you notice that it says “in everything,” not for everything.
There are lots of things I’m not thankful for. But, even in the most difficult situations I can be thankful that God is there as my Provider, Comforter, and Savior. “In everything give thanks.”
So—what part of everything are you having to give thanks in today?