On Thanksgiving Day, we often look back with gratitude on how the LORD has blessed the work of our hands. As one who lives in an agricultural community, I delight together with the farmers in the joy and satisfaction of gathering in the harvest. This is a special time of the year.

But what if there is not much of a harvest? What if there is no business coming in, if you lost your job, or if your hours were cut back this past year? What if you faced other personal hardships in your life? How do you maintain an attitude of joy and thanksgiving in difficult times? Is that realistic?

Our text addresses this matter. When the LORD called the Thessalonians to be joyful always and to give thanks in all circumstances, they were in a pinch. From Acts 17 we learn about the beginning of the church in Thessalonica. We are told that while some Jews believed, together with a large number of God-fearing Gentiles and some prominent women, other Jews became jealous and ran Paul out of the city and made life miserable for his companions. We're told that Jason (at whose house Paul was staying) and others were dragged in front of the city officials, accused of defying Caesar's decrees, and forced to pay a bond.

And then we learn from the book of Thessalonians that after Paul left, the believers continued to face great opposition. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Paul says that they faced severe suffering. In chapter 2:14 Paul again refers to the suffering they endured at the hands of their countrymen. In 3:2-3 we're told that these trials got so bad that Paul had sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to strengthen and encourage them in their faith.

And yet it is in these circumstances that the Apostle calls the believers in Thessalonica to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. What joy is there when you are being persecuted, when you suffer intensely because of your faith? Paul spells out elsewhere in this book that there is much to be joyful about. He thanks God for the faith, hope, and love that God has worked into their hearts (1:2-3). He rejoices that God has chosen them and that the Holy Spirit works deep conviction in them (1:4-5). He says in 1:6 that in spite of severe suffering, they welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. The LORD has done much for them.

Even in the midst of suffering there can be intense joy and gratitude because we are the children of God and we share in the work of our Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives faith, hope, and love to the people of God. These are foundational gifts that give us perspective on all of life. There may be times when we face hardships. And yet the LORD reminds us that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we still have reason to experience joy and give thanks.

Now it's possible that you don't experience that joy, and you don't feel thankful when you are in the midst of difficult circumstances. The reality is that at times it is hard to feel in our hearts what we may know to be true in our heads. But the LORD says that he will help us with that too. If you keep reading in this chapter, you see that God doesn't leave you on your own to experience this joy and gratitude. He is your Saviour and he will work joy and thanks in your heart by his power. In the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24,

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

The point is that after calling us to live a sanctified life, God says that he will take it upon himself to make this a reality. The LORD will teach us who he is and what he has done for us. He will reveal his promises to us and enable us to believe what he has promised. Our Father will work things out in our lives in such a way that we will be joyful always and we will give thanks in all circumstances. He accomplishes our salvation through the working of his Holy Spirit.