How are you doing? Life during this time of COVID left many of us feeling lost and confused. We missed visiting with friends and family. We felt unsure of what to or what not to do. For example, do we wear masks, do we go places, and do we get vaccinated? I think the word for the year might be negativity. As things slowly improve, I want us to focus on ways to be thankful even in the midst of the turmoil. So let’s look at ways to find thankfulness.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sometimes, giving thanks in difficult circumstances feels almost impossible. How can we give thanks when people are dying all around us? I get it; we don’t feel thankful. But, in the verse above, Paul reminds us that we should always give thanks. When we do, it reminds us that God is still in control and working things out. Thankfulness allows us to refocus on the problem solver and not the problem.
My Story of Thankfulness
In my own life, I learned the importance of thankfulness when our son was born back in 1993. Unfortunately, his list of birth defects made his life expectancy very short. Each morning, I thanked God for another day with my son. When he passed away, I thanked God he was no longer suffering. This thankfulness allowed me to find joy in the moments. I still felt profound grief at the loss, but my attitude allowed me to focus on the good parts of my story.
The Ways to Thankfulness
So, how can each of us begin to be thankful in all circumstances? I think it starts with simple things. Here are some ways that I embrace thankfulness:
Psalm 118:24; “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” So if we woke up today, thank God for another day of life. During this day, we can talk with or visit family or friends and brighten their day. Or, we can make amends for things done wrong in the past. So don’t focus on the problems of the day; focus on the blessings.
Psalm 107:9; “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Thank God for the food that He provided for us today. Maybe it was not enough or poor quality, but still offer up thanks. Some in our world go days without a meal. Learn to give thanks for what God provides.
1 Thessalonians 1:2; “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.” Praise the Lord for the family and friends He provides in our lives, especially the ones who cover us with prayers. God provides people in our lives to help us and encourage us. Sometimes, friends will even correct us when we stray from our faith.
Colossians 3:15; “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” God gives us peace in our hearts even when things don’t go as expected. What an incredible blessing to allow God’s peace to fill our hearts and something we should give thanks for daily. His peace enables us to face all our tomorrows without fear.
Psalm 103:1-4; “1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Thank the Lord for loving us unconditionally and forgiving us of our sins. He crowns us with love and compassion; wow. Isn’t that worth saying thank you to God?
When Words Fail
No matter our circumstances in life, we can choose to wallow in despair or look for the silver linings God provides and thank Him for it. Still struggling with finding something to be thankful for in your life? Then just utter these words from 1 Chronicles 29:13; “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” Do this and watch how our thoughts and attitude change even if our circumstances do not.
Prayer
My Heavenly Father. I give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. Teach my heart to seek ways to thank You even when my situation is complicated. Let me seek You and Your peace in my life. Thank You for all the blessings. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
In need of prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Beautiful. Thank you for the reminding to give praise at all times. God knows our hearts. He loves us and will guide us through each moment.
Amen Melissa. He does know our hearts and guides us. We are blessed to be called His children. Thanks for commenting and God bless
The world says “every cloud has a silver lining.” But we know that it’s the assurance God is always at work for our ultimate good and His eternal glory. And we can always thank Him for that!
So true Ava. God is the only “silver lining” we need. Thanks for commenting. God bless
Your testimony is impressive. We need to have hearts of thankfulness in the ‘no matter what’ moments. Thank you for sharing your powerful story.
Thanks Nancy. If I can learn to be thankful in difficult times so can any of us. Grace and peace to you
Excellent reminders of all the things we can thank the Lord for each day, even in times of trouble, even in a time of pandemic, even as a stronger variant now assaults our country, even in our losses, even in our gains, and even in our times of joy. Thank you for sharing these verses. Psalm 103 is a favorite!
Thanks Melinda. I believe thankfulness needs to be a daily devotional in our lives no matter our circumstances. God is bigger than all our problems. Grace and peace to you
Lovely message, Yvonne. I’ve always relished with those first few verses of Psalm 103. We can be thankful when we consider our blessings
It is a beautiful Psalm. Thanks Karen. I pray that thankfulness fills your heart this day. God bless.
So good and practical. Problems can seem like they are never-ending, but when we focus on the blessings we do have, things do seem better and we draw closer to God.
Yes, it does draw us closer to God when we focus on Him instead of our problems. Thanks Jessica.