There's a verse in the Bible says, 'In everything give thanks
There's a verse in the Bible says, 'In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.' And what brings me peace is the scripture.
“There’s a verse in the Bible says, ‘In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ And what brings me peace is the scripture.” Thus spoke Tammy Faye Bakker, and in her words lies a truth older than kingdoms, deeper than oceans: that gratitude is not a fleeting courtesy, but a commandment of the soul. For the act of giving thanks is not reserved for joy alone, but for sorrow, not for triumph alone, but for trial. In the language of the ancients, to be grateful in all things is to align oneself with the eternal will, to find peace not in circumstances, but in the embrace of the divine.
The origin of this wisdom lies in the words of the Apostle Paul, who in his first letter to the Thessalonians declared, “In everything give thanks.” He wrote not to those who lived in comfort, but to a people harassed, persecuted, and weary. His command was not shallow optimism, but a call to transform suffering into strength by the alchemy of faith. To give thanks in all things is not to deny pain, but to refuse to let pain master the spirit. This is the power Tammy Faye clung to: the knowledge that even in brokenness, gratitude builds unbreakable peace.
The ancients practiced this as well. Consider Job, who lost his children, his wealth, his health, yet still declared, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” He was shattered, yet not consumed, because his heart bowed in thanksgiving even amid ruin. His story endures as proof that gratitude can outlast despair, that thanksgiving is not weakness but armor. Tammy Faye’s words echo this truth, reminding us that scripture becomes a fortress when gratitude is its foundation.
History shows us another example in Corrie ten Boom, who, imprisoned in the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, gave thanks even for the lice in her barracks—because they kept the guards away, allowing her to read the Bible in secret. Who among us, without faith, could give thanks for such misery? Yet in that act, she found strength beyond human measure, and her story lives as testimony that peace is not found in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of thanksgiving.
Tammy Faye, who endured scandal, sickness, and public scorn, spoke these words from the crucible of her own trials. She was not untouched by pain, nor ignorant of shame. Yet she found her rest in the scripture, where the command to give thanks gave her not despair but peace. Her life was a mirror of the teaching she cherished: that gratitude is not always natural, but it is always possible, and in that possibility lies freedom from fear.
The lesson for us is clear: gratitude must not be conditional. If you give thanks only when life is kind, your heart will be a reed tossed by every storm. But if you give thanks in everything—in loss and in gain, in sickness and in health, in humiliation and in honor—you will discover a peace that no power on earth can take away. For thanksgiving shifts the gaze from what is lost to what is eternal, from despair to hope, from weakness to strength.
Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember this: cultivate gratitude as both shield and sword. Let it be your morning prayer and your evening song. When joy visits, give thanks; when sorrow strikes, give thanks still. Do not wait for life to align with your desires, but align your heart with thanksgiving. For in that posture lies the secret Tammy Faye knew, the secret Paul proclaimed, the secret that has carried saints, prophets, and ordinary souls through ages of trial: that in thanksgiving is the path to everlasting peace.
ALKieu Anh Lu
Tammy Faye Bakker’s perspective seems to highlight the power of belief and faith in bringing peace. However, how can someone who doesn't share the same spiritual beliefs use the principle of gratitude in a meaningful way? Can the concept of giving thanks transcend religion and apply to everyone, regardless of their background or spiritual practice? I think it's fascinating how universal gratitude can be, even if peace takes on different forms for each person.
ABLuong anh bao
I love the idea of finding peace in scripture, but it makes me question how much peace really comes from external sources versus internal self-work. Do you think peace is something we seek outside of ourselves, or is it more about cultivating inner calm and mindfulness? How does someone who doesn’t turn to scripture for peace find that same sense of comfort and calm in their own life?
TTNguyen Thi Trang
It’s fascinating how a single verse can offer so much comfort. I wonder though, in times of crisis, is it always easy to feel thankful? Does the idea of 'giving thanks' imply that we should always be content with our circumstances, or does it allow space for questioning and growth? It’s an interesting balance between gratitude and the reality of facing struggles head-on.
MPNguyen Minh Phuc
This quote is such a powerful reminder of how faith can be a source of peace, but I wonder how people who don’t share the same religious views find peace in the face of hardship. Can scripture alone provide lasting peace, or is it more of a temporary solace? I feel like peace might be something everyone must define for themselves, regardless of their religious background. What does peace mean to you in the tough moments of life?
THPham Trong Hieu
I really resonate with the idea that giving thanks, even in difficult times, can bring peace. It’s easier said than done, though. When life gets overwhelming, how do you practice gratitude? It’s almost like a muscle that needs to be trained. Do you think that gratitude, even when you’re struggling, can actually change your perspective on life? Or is it just a comforting thought for those who are spiritually inclined?