November 24, 2025 • 7 mins
As Thanksgiving nears, this episode urges Christians to give thanks not only for blessings but also for trials, recognizing God’s sovereign purposes in every situation.
Using Scripture—Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the Beatitudes, and Jesus’ teaching on provision—it shows how suffering, persecution, and lack can refine faith, reveal Christ’s strength, and point to God’s justice.
Listeners are encouraged to seek God’s kingdom, trust his providence, and rejoice that all things ultimately work for God’s glory and the good of his people.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
(00:05):
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(First Thessalonians 5,verses 16 to 18) The Thanksgiving holiday is nearly upon us,
a time when families gather together to enjoy fellowship around elaborately prepared meals.
During these gatherings,it is a common practice for families and friends to take time to express thanks for certain aspects of their lives.
(00:29):
Thanks are given for mostly positive things in one’s life,
such as health,prosperity,family,jobs,and more,as well they should.
God’s common grace upon his creation,both the just and the unjust (see Matthew 5,
verse 45),should be celebrated by all for God is a patient,
loving,and kind God,even to those he will one day judge for their iniquities.
(00:54):
Yet, we should ask ourselves, should we only give thanks for the positive things in our lives?
If God is a sovereign God who decrees all things for his glory and for the good of his people (Romans 8,
verse 28),then should not Christians express thanks for trials and tribulations as well?
In short, the answer is yes.
(01:15):
The Christian life is often filled with affliction.
Be it illness, job loss, or family strife, every Christian will face adversity in this life.
We live in a fallen world that has been dramatically impacted by the presence of sin.
Not only do we struggle with our own sinful flesh,
including being hurt by others through their sins,
(01:37):
but we war against a fallen creation that does not easily yield the fruit of our labors (Genesis 3,
verses 17 to 19).
Without a doubt, every Christian will face tribulation from within and without.
Yet,the apostle Paul exemplified how Christians should respond to such struggles when he wrote to the Corinthian church.
In Second Corinthians 12,verses 7 to 10,he wrote (01:57):
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,
a thorn was given me in the flesh,a messenger of Satan to harass me,
to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
(02:18):
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ,then,I am content with weaknesses,
insults,hardships,persecutions,and calamities.
(02:40):
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
” Paul not only recognized that his troubling affliction came directly from the hand of God,
but he was thankful on two counts;
he was thankful that God sought to keep him from conceit and that God’s strength was magnified in his own weakness.
Christians should likewise express thanks to God in times of trouble that he is conforming us to the image of Christ and using us to glorify his strength and power in the world.
(03:07):
Christians will also face persecution as we live in this world.
Paul,in writing to Timothy,explained,“Indeed,all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse,
deceiving and being deceived” (Second Timothy 3,verse 12 to 13).
(03:28):
Persecution can range from experiencing rejection and emotional mistreatment from others,
to isolation and denial of access to resources in society,
and even to arrest,torture,and death.
No act of persecution is pleasant,it is hurtful and destructive,
something no person should willingly desire to experience.
(03:50):
Yet, it is the birthright of every Christian to face.
Yet,when Christ taught the Sermon on the Mount,he included in the Beatitudes a special blessing for those who would face persecution.
He taught,“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5,
verse 10) and that we should,“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven,for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5,
(04:16):
verse 12).
Christians can rejoice and be thankful for persecution because God has counted us worthy to suffer the reproaches of the world specifically because we are followers of Christ (Acts 5,
verse 41).
We are so connected to the Savior that the world seeks to pour out their hatred for him on us.
Thus, we are living testimonies to the Christ who suffered and died to redeem us.
(04:40):
Christians also face trial and difficulty when they are experiencing a lack of the necessities of life.
Whether it is financial,employment,or food,the struggle of simply not having enough to provide for oneself or one’s family is a painful burden.
Especially when one lives in a perpetually materialistic culture which places a high value on accumulating “stuff.
(05:01):
” Yet,once again looking to the Sermon on the Mount,
we see that Christ himself taught us as Christians how to manage the anxiety of lack.
He taught his listeners that the same God who fed the birds of the air and clothed the lilies of the field was the God who valued his people more than these things (Matthew 6,
verse 25 to 30).
(05:21):
He then tells his hearers, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?
’ or ‘What shall we drink?
’ or ‘What shall we wear?
’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things,and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you” (chapter 6,
(05:45):
verse 31 to 33).
Christians are called to seek God and his kingdom above all,
rejoicing that our Father in Heaven knows us and our needs,
being thankful that he provides even when it seems the provisions are meager.
Like Paul writing to Timothy,we should say,“But if we have food and clothing,
with these we will be content” (First Timothy 6,verse 8).
(06:09):
Finally,when we experience all of the above and more,
yet see a God-hating world that seems to have all they want and more,
we shall not despair.
We know that we serve a great God who will not let the guilty go unpunished (Exodus 34, verse 7).
God is a just and righteous God who never fails to see the sins of men,
(06:31):
even wicked deeds done in darkness.
While he is indeed a patient and long-suffering God who gives time that men may come to repentance (see Second Peter 3,
verse 9),there is a point at which that patience will end.
No man or woman who steps out of this life without Christ will avoid his swift and sure wrath.
(06:51):
Therefore,we can be thankful that,while the wicked may hurt and oppress the people of God now,
they will one day face his justice.
That thankfulness should be driven by the knowledge that we too were once rebels to his will,
yet,in his grace,God redeemed us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Therefore,we make it our aim to persuade the wicked to flee from the wrath of God to come,
(07:15):
that they too might be thankful and rejoice (Second Corinthians 5,
verse 11).
As we gather with our loved ones this week,let us indeed give thanks for all things,
both the positive and the negative.
Let us remember that all things happen because God has decreed them and nothing that occurs in our lives happens without his perfect plan and purpose behind them.
(07:37):
Therefore, let us give thanks in all circumstances that we might magnify the glory of our God.
The post Are We Truly Thankful for All Things?
appeared first on Voice of Reason at slave to the king dot com.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
(00:05):
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(First Thessalonians 5,verses 16 to 18) The Thanksgiving holiday is nearly upon us,
a time when families gather together to enjoy fellowship around elaborately prepared meals.
During these gatherings,it is a common practice for families and friends to take time to express thanks for certain aspects of their lives.
(00:29):
Thanks are given for mostly positive things in one’s life,
such as health,prosperity,family,jobs,and more,as well they should.
God’s common grace upon his creation,both the just and the unjust (see Matthew 5,
verse 45),should be celebrated by all for God is a patient,
loving,and kind God,even to those he will one day judge for their iniquities.
(00:54):
Yet, we should ask ourselves, should we only give thanks for the positive things in our lives?
If God is a sovereign God who decrees all things for his glory and for the good of his people (Romans 8,
verse 28),then should not Christians express thanks for trials and tribulations as well?
In short, the answer is yes.
(01:15):
The Christian life is often filled with affliction.
Be it illness, job loss, or family strife, every Christian will face adversity in this life.
We live in a fallen world that has been dramatically impacted by the presence of sin.
Not only do we struggle with our own sinful flesh,
including being hurt by others through their sins,
(01:37):
but we war against a fallen creation that does not easily yield the fruit of our labors (Genesis 3,
verses 17 to 19).
Without a doubt, every Christian will face tribulation from within and without.
Yet,the apostle Paul exemplified how Christians should respond to such struggles when he wrote to the Corinthian church.
In Second Corinthians 12,verses 7 to 10,he wrote (01:57):
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,
a thorn was given me in the flesh,a messenger of Satan to harass me,
to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
(02:18):
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ,then,I am content with weaknesses,
insults,hardships,persecutions,and calamities.
(02:40):
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
” Paul not only recognized that his troubling affliction came directly from the hand of God,
but he was thankful on two counts;
he was thankful that God sought to keep him from conceit and that God’s strength was magnified in his own weakness.
Christians should likewise express thanks to God in times of trouble that he is conforming us to the image of Christ and using us to glorify his strength and power in the world.
(03:07):
Christians will also face persecution as we live in this world.
Paul,in writing to Timothy,explained,“Indeed,all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse,
deceiving and being deceived” (Second Timothy 3,verse 12 to 13).
(03:28):
Persecution can range from experiencing rejection and emotional mistreatment from others,
to isolation and denial of access to resources in society,
and even to arrest,torture,and death.
No act of persecution is pleasant,it is hurtful and destructive,
something no person should willingly desire to experience.
(03:50):
Yet, it is the birthright of every Christian to face.
Yet,when Christ taught the Sermon on the Mount,he included in the Beatitudes a special blessing for those who would face persecution.
He taught,“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5,
verse 10) and that we should,“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven,for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5,
(04:16):
verse 12).
Christians can rejoice and be thankful for persecution because God has counted us worthy to suffer the reproaches of the world specifically because we are followers of Christ (Acts 5,
verse 41).
We are so connected to the Savior that the world seeks to pour out their hatred for him on us.
Thus, we are living testimonies to the Christ who suffered and died to redeem us.
(04:40):
Christians also face trial and difficulty when they are experiencing a lack of the necessities of life.
Whether it is financial,employment,or food,the struggle of simply not having enough to provide for oneself or one’s family is a painful burden.
Especially when one lives in a perpetually materialistic culture which places a high value on accumulating “stuff.
(05:01):
” Yet,once again looking to the Sermon on the Mount,
we see that Christ himself taught us as Christians how to manage the anxiety of lack.
He taught his listeners that the same God who fed the birds of the air and clothed the lilies of the field was the God who valued his people more than these things (Matthew 6,
verse 25 to 30).
(05:21):
He then tells his hearers, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?
’ or ‘What shall we drink?
’ or ‘What shall we wear?
’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things,and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you” (chapter 6,
(05:45):
verse 31 to 33).
Christians are called to seek God and his kingdom above all,
rejoicing that our Father in Heaven knows us and our needs,
being thankful that he provides even when it seems the provisions are meager.
Like Paul writing to Timothy,we should say,“But if we have food and clothing,
with these we will be content” (First Timothy 6,verse 8).
(06:09):
Finally,when we experience all of the above and more,
yet see a God-hating world that seems to have all they want and more,
we shall not despair.
We know that we serve a great God who will not let the guilty go unpunished (Exodus 34, verse 7).
God is a just and righteous God who never fails to see the sins of men,
(06:31):
even wicked deeds done in darkness.
While he is indeed a patient and long-suffering God who gives time that men may come to repentance (see Second Peter 3,
verse 9),there is a point at which that patience will end.
No man or woman who steps out of this life without Christ will avoid his swift and sure wrath.
(06:51):
Therefore,we can be thankful that,while the wicked may hurt and oppress the people of God now,
they will one day face his justice.
That thankfulness should be driven by the knowledge that we too were once rebels to his will,
yet,in his grace,God redeemed us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Therefore,we make it our aim to persuade the wicked to flee from the wrath of God to come,
(07:15):
that they too might be thankful and rejoice (Second Corinthians 5,
verse 11).
As we gather with our loved ones this week,let us indeed give thanks for all things,
both the positive and the negative.
Let us remember that all things happen because God has decreed them and nothing that occurs in our lives happens without his perfect plan and purpose behind them.
(07:37):
Therefore, let us give thanks in all circumstances that we might magnify the glory of our God.
The post Are We Truly Thankful for All Things?
appeared first on Voice of Reason at slave to the king dot com.
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