Being Thankful in All Circumstances

One of my favorite phrases to say while praying with my husband and two kids is….

 “Let us remember to praise you in the good and not so good times.” 

What a gift it is to praise him when things are going well and what a gift it is to praise him when things are falling apart. 

Thessalonians 5:18 says “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It clearly doesn’t say give thanks when the circumstances are good and feel free to grumble when they are not… it says give thanks in ALL circumstances! 

So that means when things are falling apart, when things are coming together, when you feel defeated, when you feel truly joyful and when you feel downright mad.

God is with us every step of the way. And every step we take isn’t easy. We don’t get our way sometimes. There are disappointments in our life… our relationships, our careers, within our families.

Quite honestly, most of us probably wish we could lay down to kick and scream and have a little tantrum when our plans don’t work out the way we wanted. Having gratitude is possible in every circumstance and when we are thankful we can actually make the load weighing us down… a little lighter. 

One of the best ways I can think of to have an attitude of gratitude in the good and not so good times is by letting scripture have a constant influence.

Have a few verses from Psalms memorized and ready to say at any turn. The psalmists are real with pain and suffering AND typically end with a positive influence of giving thanks to God. 

Write down a few helpful verses to tape on your bathroom mirror or in your car so that you can use them during times you have much to give thanks for but also when you are tempted to stray from having a thankful heart. 

Do you know what is contagious? 

Happiness is contagious… Sadness is contagious and dare I say that showing thankfulness can be contagious too. 

We are living in heavy times. Finding the good in what is going on around our lives is a game you can play! And others may possibly want to jump in and play too. 

Decide to be grateful and to encourage others towards a spirit of thankfulness! 2 Timothy 4:2 gives great guidance “Correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.”

 Choose to be thankful in all circumstances!

by: Cady Ruth Sentell, Children’s Minister