When It’s Hard To Be Grateful
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
As we close out another year, we are often encouraged to look back on the last 12 months and think about all we have for which to be thankful. But if we’re being honest, sometimes it can be difficult to be thankful when our circumstances aren’t ideal. After all, this has been a pretty tough year for a lot of us.
Maybe you find yourself asking, “How can I give thanks in the midst of thankless times?” It may not be a question you’re willing to ask publicly, but privately it is something you struggle with and ask yourself on the inside. It’s easy to give thanks when things are going well, but it’s different when things aren’t going well. Paul put it this way in our text: when we face challenges, we should offer thanks always, continually, and in all circumstances. Not simply and solely for what we have, or for what God has done, but just for who God is. The psalmist put it this way, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
In order to praise continually like this and rejoice always, it takes the believer having a certain attitude about God. God commands us to give thanks always, at all times, because life will teach you that circumstances can always be different and change in a heartbeat. Therefore, our joy, our contentment, and our gratitude shouldn’t be tied to our circumstances. Instead, our thankfulness should come solely from the Lord so that our rejoicing will never cease and our attitude won’t shift.
As you look back on this year, even if it’s difficult at first to pinpoint what you have to be thankful for, take the time to really reflect on the blessings God has given you. No matter how big or small, God is working in the midst of so much hardship. May we not miss out on the opportunity to thank Him for His faithfulness, even when it might not be as obvious at first look.
As we close out another year, we are often encouraged to look back on the last 12 months and think about all we have for which to be thankful. But if we’re being honest, sometimes it can be difficult to be thankful when our circumstances aren’t ideal. After all, this has been a pretty tough year for a lot of us.
Maybe you find yourself asking, “How can I give thanks in the midst of thankless times?” It may not be a question you’re willing to ask publicly, but privately it is something you struggle with and ask yourself on the inside. It’s easy to give thanks when things are going well, but it’s different when things aren’t going well. Paul put it this way in our text: when we face challenges, we should offer thanks always, continually, and in all circumstances. Not simply and solely for what we have, or for what God has done, but just for who God is. The psalmist put it this way, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
In order to praise continually like this and rejoice always, it takes the believer having a certain attitude about God. God commands us to give thanks always, at all times, because life will teach you that circumstances can always be different and change in a heartbeat. Therefore, our joy, our contentment, and our gratitude shouldn’t be tied to our circumstances. Instead, our thankfulness should come solely from the Lord so that our rejoicing will never cease and our attitude won’t shift.
As you look back on this year, even if it’s difficult at first to pinpoint what you have to be thankful for, take the time to really reflect on the blessings God has given you. No matter how big or small, God is working in the midst of so much hardship. May we not miss out on the opportunity to thank Him for His faithfulness, even when it might not be as obvious at first look.
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