2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 NIV
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
1. Every season has its stuff.
The Thessalonians were experiencing a great season of suffering. Every season of life has its difficulties and trials. Having the right seasonal perspective allows us to be thankful.
Every season presents a challenge to overcome and an opportunity to grow.
Never expect the next season to be better without thanksgiving in the season you’re in.
2. There is always a reason to be thankful.
If you never associate pain with growth you will never be thankful.
...because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Find the reason in every season.
3. Thank your way into it.
4 Rejoice 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. Philippians 4:4-7
The way you leave one season will determine how you enter the next.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4