“Give thanks in every circumstance” *.  That edict has long been a source of fascination for me.  When I first read it, I was dismissive; thinking it impossible.  We can be thankful people.  We can give thanks all the time, but what we can’t do is give thanks in every circumstance.  The phrase “every circumstance” was problematic for me.   Those words are intentional and they irritated me.  Give thanks when grieving, unemployed, homeless or  depressed?  I thought the idea impossible and unfair.  With Thanksgiving around the corner, I started thinking about this verse again and found it possible and helpful.  Here is what I came up with.

The first thing about giving thanks is that it is personal.  Giving genuine thanks requires reflection about one’s own circumstances in a vacuum.  I must view my circumstances through the lens of my own personal history, and not what is happening in my neighbor’s life.  If I don’t, my thanks won’t be authentic.  Either my thanksgiving will be half hearted, because my circumstance isn’t quite as good as yours, or it will be sullied because in principle it feeds on the unfortunate circumstances of others.  That is relative thanks, which is the exact opposite of the “every circumstance” thanks that the verse requires.

Relative thanks means that a kernel of bitterness is harbored when I am only able to replace 3 of my 4 bald tires, while my best friend has just bought a brand spanking new luxury car.  Alternately, “thanks in every circumstance” means that I rejoice as I thank God that my situation is 75% better than it was.  Relative thanks is unhealthy as it ties my sense of accomplishment and contentment to the circumstances of those around me.  Giving thanks in every circumstance means that I am embracing my unique life .  I am intentionally acknowledging the good in my life, based on …my life.  Giving thanks in every circumstance is freedom.  Freedom to view my blessings as they were intended to be: disparate and personal.

This Thanksgiving I will give thanks in every circumstance of my life.  When compared to others my life is unremarkable.  In its proper context it’s wonderful.

Thanksgiving is a relative of hope.  The more we see our way to thanking God in every circumstance, the more easily hope will begin to arise in us.  Hope is the beginning of the inspiration needed for us to move forward on the singular path prepared for each of  us.  Giving thanks in every circumstance doesn’t mean that dark and unhappy conditions are ignored.  It’s the opposite, it means that we commit to look hard enough to find the silver lining as a jumping off place for better.

*1 Thessalonians 5:18

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