In Every Situation

Pastor James C. Ward

November 23, 2025

Sunday Morning

1^st Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Introduction

Good literature reiterates what is expounded in the Bible. The story of Robinson Crusoe is a case in point. The story mimics the teaching of Apostle Paul. When Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked on a lonely island, he listed in two columns what he called the evil and what he called the good. (Ok, this is a review of sixth grade English literature. Please do not accuse me of not preaching the Gospel; I am going somewhere with this.) He was cast on a desolate island, but he was still alive. He was separated from the rest of society, but he was not starving. He had no clothes, but he was in a hot climate. He had no means of defense, but there were no hostile animals dwelling in the terrain. So, he concluded that there was not any condition in the world so miserable that one could not find something for which to be grateful. These two men, Apostle Paul and Robinson Crusoe, one fictitious, one real, but their thoughts about life are the same. We should always have a grateful spirit. Charles Spurgeon said that Scripture was like a packed suitcase and it is the preachers’ and Bible teachers’ job to unpack the suitcase and make the garments inside useful. So, let’s unpack this powerful yet simple single verse of Scripture.

Exposition

1. Give Thanks In The Good Times.

(It Is Easy To Take Blessings For Granted.)

(It Is Easy To Get An Entitlement Mentality.)

(It Is Easy To Give Ourselves Too Much Credit.)

2. Give Thanks In The Not-So-Good Times.

(Stay Positive And Prayerful.)

(Praise Him In Your Pain.)

(Have A Praise Party - Not A Pity Party.)

(Don’t Sing The Blues Too Long.)

(Don’t Cry Too Long Over Spilled Milk.)

(Trust Him When You Cannot Trace Him.)

(Be Content Until God Changes The Situation.)

(Philippians 4:11-13.)

3. Give Thanks When You Have Been Delivered.

(If It Had Not Been For The Lord?)

(Psalm 124:1-8.)

(Without God, The Devil Would Have Had His Way.)

Closing Thoughts

We must give God thanks in the good times, in the bad times, and even in the ugly times. Learning to give thanks in every situation means learning to trust God completely. It means believing He is in control and understanding that all that happens to us is part of a larger picture that we may not readily see. Paul never instructed the church to thank God for evil events, but to thank God that even in evil times and circumstances, our hope remains, and God continues His work in our lives. If we truly believe that, “all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28),” we can be grateful in every situation.

When the heart is right, thanksgiving is natural!

When life is right, thanksgiving is normal!

When prayers are right, thanksgiving is never neglected!

Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory!