*Thanksgiving and Rejoicing*
`Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18`
Rejoicing closely relates to thanksgiving. To rejoice is to take joy in something, but it’s a joy infused with gratitude. Rejoicing and gratitude. They’re not the same, but gratitude is a crucial ingredient of rejoicing. Take gratitude out of joy and you lose it completely.
Imagine a grumpy, murmuring person who lacks gratitude. You wouldn’t describe that person as joyful. They’re the rain on your sunny days. Paul writes to Philipians 4:4-6 that _Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God._
Gratitude produces joy, and joy is wrapped up in gratitude. Anything we give thanks for offers a chance to rejoice in God. Anything we rejoice in provides an opportunity to give thanks. It’s tied up with the ways we worship and follow God. It includes our words, saying “thank you,” but it goes beyond words to a heart full of gratitude, awe, and delight. That is where true worship begins.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin