So far in our Bible study, we have discovered that comparison and envy are bad companions to us. For the next two days, we will answer the question, "Now what?" Now that we know that comparison and envy don't serve us, how can we fight against the temptation to worry and become envious when other people have what we want? There is one surefire way to fight against envy that we will look at today: gratitude. After all, when we have grateful hearts, it is difficult to become envious of anything that anyone else has.
The apostle Paul offers us an alternative to walking around comparing ourselves to others and living enviously in 1 Thessalonians 5. “Be thankful in all circumstances,” he writes (verse 18). Paul did not make a mistake when he said, “all circumstances.” This means that there is always something to be thankful for. You can be thankful even when your friend gets a promotion while you have been waiting for one at your job. Even when your friend gets engaged while you have been single for what feels like years, you can be thankful. Even when you do not get accepted to your dream college or job, there are still opportunities to praise God if you look for them. God is still working in your life, even if He is working differently than you expected. He is still taking care of you every day. The question is, are you paying attention to how He is working?
After Paul called his readers to give thanks “in all circumstances,” he continued, “for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (verse 18). God desires us to be thankful. Why? Well, first and foremost, because He deserves our gratitude. Secondly, I think His will for us to be thankful is because He knows that gratitude and envy cannot coexist.
I do not know about you, but I would choose a grateful lifestyle over a lifestyle of comparison and envy. Comparison and envy lead to bitterness, anger, and disappointment. Choosing gratitude leads to life. Let’s choose gratitude every day over a life of comparison and envy, even when it is hard, even when we have to fight for it.
Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Bring it to mind often, especially when you find yourself tempted to turn to comparison. Whenever you recite the verse, take a moment to be grateful. Thank God for each of the gifts He gives you every day, and be specific. He is working in your life. Are you paying attention?
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
