1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Our circumstances expose the true condition of our faith in God. What we choose to believe—and how we respond—reveals whether our trust rests in ourselves or in God. Actions rooted in unbelief inevitably lead to fear, confusion, and misery, but actions rooted in faith lead us into God’s salvation, peace, and purpose. Our Father’s desire is not that we merely acknowledge Him in favorable times, but that we trust Him fully in every circumstance, especially when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.
When crises arise, our standard must be God alone. We falter when we interpret the world through our own limited perspective instead of through God’s promises. The Israelites at the Red Sea are a clear example. As Pharaoh approached with his army, Scripture tells us that the Israelites looked up, saw the Egyptians advancing, and were filled with terror (Exodus 14:10). Their fear did not come from the size of the army alone, but from the fact that their eyes were fixed solely on the danger in front of them. They were trapped in a chronic state of spiritual unbelief.
Because they judged the situation by human standards, their hearts quickly turned to despair. They blamed Moses and preferred their former life in slavery to trusting God in the wilderness. (Exodus 14:11–12). Fear gave birth to complaint, discouragement, blame, and unbelief. This is always the progression when faith is absent—anxiety replaces trust, and bitterness replaces hope.
Moses saw the same army, but he perceived something unseen, though far greater. He saw the hand of God at work. Instead of reacting in panic, he spoke words of faith to the people, urging them not to be afraid but to stand firm and witness the deliverance the Lord would bring (Exodus 14:13–14). Moses understood that the battle did not belong to Israel but to God. He believed that his life and the lives of the people were held securely in God’s hands.
Most importantly, Moses firmly believed God’s promise—the conquest of Canaan—would be fulfilled, no matter the circumstances. He believed in the promise of the Messiah and in the God who had already displayed His power through the plagues in Egypt. For Moses, the Red Sea was not the end of the journey but a moment for God’s glory to be revealed. Faith allowed him to see beyond the crisis and into God’s redemptive plan.
The crossing of the Red Sea became a dividing line between faith and unbelief. Those who lived in unbelief complained and despaired, while those who trusted God witnessed His power and experienced His deliverance. Unbelief breeds anxiety and fear, but faith produces stillness, peace, and confidence before God. Those who rely on the world search desperately for solutions, but those who live by the covenant wait expectantly for what God is about to do, even in the midst of danger.
True faith in the gospel is not merely a matter of words. It comes with power, the work of the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5). This is the faith that overcomes the world, for the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God is the one who stands victorious (1 John 5:5). Such faith opens our spiritual eyes, enabling us to see life from God’s perspective rather than our own.
Living by faith does not mean that everything will unfold according to our preferences. Rather, it means we seek God’s will in every situation and align our prayers with what He desires to accomplish. Nothing in the life of a child of God happens by accident. God uses every event, every hardship, and every delay to advance His kingdom.
Paul understood this truth deeply. Even his imprisonment, which seemed like a setback, served to advance the gospel. Through his chains, Christ was proclaimed, believers were encouraged, and the message of salvation spread boldly (Philippians 1:12–14). What appeared to be a loss became an opportunity for God’s greater purpose.
In the same way, God brings people into your life and allows certain circumstances so that the gospel may be revealed through you. Every challenge becomes a mission field. Every hardship becomes a platform to exalt Christ. God is shaping your life so that His glory may be displayed in all you do.
You are a precious child of God. He lives in you by His Spirit and will never abandon you. Because of this unshakable truth, you can rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. This is what our Father desires in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Faith will anchor your heart in the assurance that God is at work, even when you cannot see the way forward.
Prayer. Father, open my eyes to see the gospel at work in the midst of hardship. Help me overcome my unbelief and trust You fully. Transform my perspective through the power of Your Word so that I may live by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.