βIn every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning youβΒ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
God wantsΒ βall men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truthβΒ (1 Timothy 2:3,4). To beΒ βsavedβΒ here means you have been rescued from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire), and that you have a home in heaven, because you have trusted the death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for your sins. ToΒ βcome unto the knowledge of the truthβΒ is when a person who has trusted Christ, begins to understandΒ whyΒ God saved him or her, andΒ howΒ God will use him or her for His glory. Although soul salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity is a life-long process (that is especially true regarding handling difficulties, the grace way!).
It is human nature to avoid difficulties and stress, to flee them, rather than confront them. This self-preservation is advantageous, particularly in βlife or deathβ situations. However, running from troubling circumstances isΒ notΒ the way God has designed our life in Christ to function. Todayβs Scripture says,Β βInΒ every thing give thanks,βΒ notΒ βForΒ every thing give thanks.βΒ We doΒ notΒ thank God for our troubles; we thank God while we are enduring those troubles. This is tough, I know, but it takes time for us to learn it. Even the Apostle Paul had to learn this.
βNot that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.Β I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.Β I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth meβΒ (Philippians 4:11-13).
Be thankfulΒ inΒ every thing. Godβs grace is sufficient for you, dear saint, inΒ allΒ of lifeβs circumstances. When you learn this, you areΒ β[coming] unto the knowledge of the truth.β source