{"id":5123,"date":"2014-02-12T11:08:06","date_gmt":"2014-02-12T17:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5123"},"modified":"2014-02-13T08:46:59","modified_gmt":"2014-02-13T14:46:59","slug":"how-can-i-change-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5123","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Change: Gratitude"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part of the \u201cHow Can I Change?\u201d series. See parts\u00a0one<\/a>,\u00a0two<\/a>,\u00a0three<\/a>,\u00a0four<\/a>, and five<\/a><\/p>\n

Gratitude (1 Thess 5:18)<\/h1>\n

18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”<\/p>\n

This should raise questions in your mind. “What about…” is what comes to mine. What about the really bad things? What about when I am sinned against? What about the Psalms? What about Jesus on the cross? There are a lot of questions that arise from this short verse.<\/p>\n

What this passage isn’t saying:<\/h2>\n

<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. We can always be skippy, giggly, leprechaun happy (nor would we want to be, thinking of it that way!)<\/li>\n
  2. We will not struggle with this<\/li>\n
  3. We will always understand a deeper reason for difficulties<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What this passage is saying:<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Giving Thanks is always possible (all circumstances)<\/li>\n
    2. Giving Thanks is always necessary (will of God)<\/li>\n
    3. Giving Thanks is for you (for you)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How is it connected to grace?<\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. No matter what I receive, it is under God\u2019s control (Job 1; Jas 1)<\/li>\n
      2. No matter what I receive, it is better than what I deserve (Rom 5)<\/li>\n
      3. No matter what I receive, Jesus understands and hears (Heb 4:15)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        And if you think those “always” words are just scribal additions, look at these passages:<\/p>\n

        Eph 5:3-4 \u201cBut sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Eph 5:20 \u201cgiving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,\u201d<\/p>\n

        Col 3:17 \u201cAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Phil 4:4-7 \u201cRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n

        What will it look like in my life? (How does that actually help me change?)<\/h2>\n

        Example:\u00a0You are over at your friends house when one of their siblings decides to aggravate the family. Your friend blows up and demonstrates a spirit of anger in various bursts. You watch this, and when it has all subsided you ask, \u201cWhat was that?\u201d Your friend realizes that anger is a regular part of life for them, but they truly don\u2019t want it to be. How can you help them?<\/em><\/p>\n

        Here are some Steps that can help lead to change:<\/p>\n