“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always.
Pray continually.
Give thanks in all circumstances.
Which of these three commands is the most difficult for you to keep or to accept?
Which is easiest for you to carry out?
They’re all certainly interwoven with one another, but it’s a good practice to identify our own spiritual strengths and weaknesses so that we may lean into both.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this verse is the second half where these loose ends are tied up: reducing God’s will down to a matter of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks.
But God, what should I specifically be doing? Should I go here or there? Should I take this route or that? Should I wait or move?
It’s all too easy to get caught up in questions like these, which is something I am painfully guilty of doing. I usually find myself needlessly wrestling with that last question – the question of waiting or moving. God’s built up a fair bit of patience in my heart over the years, but I often “wait” instead of moving or acting because I’m afraid, not necessarily because I’m patient. It’s a great cover-up, but deep inside I know that deciding to stay or to go out of fear is not part of God’s will.
When God seems distant, apathetic, or altogether silent, these three actions from 1 Thessalonians are a great place to start. While you may feel like throwing your hands up in the air out of frustration, it will be more helpful to breathe, and take Paul’s words to heart: rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
We all face hugely important decisions on a regular basis in our jobs, studies, and home lives. Depending on your specific circumstances, these decisions could have enormous financial, health, or spiritual implications. In times like this, another great starting point is recognizing that God’s will itself is far larger than any decision-making power He’s given us. It’s our job to discern His voice in our lives, but we ought to remember that God is God. His knowledge, vision, and plans are beyond our comprehension, and His purpose will prevail one way or another. He desires to include us in on His wonderful plans, but we are not so powerful as to be able to screw them up beyond repair.
If you feel paralyzed or stuck by a decision that you have before you, take courage in knowing that God is not hiding himself from you. He loves you and wants the best for you, and His silence is not His absence. Continue to rejoice in God’s love and presence; continue to pray that you might hear His voice and see His path; continue to give thanks for His unending blessings.
Before Amanda and I got married, we sat through a young adult’s service at church on this exact topic of knowing God’s will. Dr. Mark Moore was speaking, and he presented a brief checklist to walk through when it comes time to make your big decision, whatever it may be. God often speaks to us directly, but when we are met with His silence, we can turn to His written Word for help. Here are 5 filters to help guide your decision making process, no matter what it is that you’re going through:
- God’s Word: The book of Proverbs has much to say about many of the “big topics” we face on a regular basis – family, finances, careers, etc. Go through Proverbs and highlight verses that are relevant to your situation and reflect on those.
- Close Counselors: Speaking of Proverbs, chapter 11 verse 14 says “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” Ask your “inner circle” of friends and family to speak truth into your situation. Has God spoken or revealed anything to them? Do they see one option as being more congruent with your character over the other?
- Fasting and Praying: These acts of discipline often serve to slow us down long enough to think clearly and listen attentively. Nehemiah demonstrates this (Nehemiah 1:4) and cries out to God. Have you sat still or quiet enough to think or listen well?
- Open Doors: This theme shows up a few times throughout the Bible, from Jesus’ teaching on knocking and receiving, to the letter in Revelation to the Church in Philadelphia – “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (3:8) Has God placed multiple doors/options before you? Knock and wait for one to open.
- Desires: If you have consulted the Bible, your closest friends, God through fasting and prayer, and have found multiple doors open up to you, this may be the appropriate time to simply make a decision. Psalm 20:4 says, “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” God may in fact be presenting multiple options for you to choose from – remember that God is bigger than our decision making power. He will glorify Himself no matter what, and He may be giving you multiple “best” options. He will make each scenario play out to its fullest potential.
Do you feel a greater sense of calm after reading through this? Do you perhaps feel a greater pull toward one option or another in any big decision you’re working through? God is gracious and present – walk or wait as He commands, all the while rejoicing and praying and giving thanks!