Always Giving Thanks

It is easier to give thanks to God when things are going well, but much harder when circumstances are not going the way I think they should go. Can I still thank Jesus when my body aches or when a child is away from the Lord? Can I remain grateful to God when people act strange, hurtful, unloving, and disrespectful? When work is laborious?

Can I be content to thank my heavenly Father for the manna He has provided for today and not be caught up with worry about how He will provide in the future? Thankfulness for the Lord’s provision is His remedy for not rushing ahead of His will and wondering how everything will work out. So wise are we to settle down and settle into our Savior’s rest.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Exodus 16:4).

It may be in suffering that we are tempted most to not thank God, but complain to God. After all, why would a loving heavenly Father allow us to struggle and hurt? In His great wisdom, He knows it’s in our adversity that we feel the greatest need for Him. So, we can see our challenging circumstances as an opportunity to draw close to Christ. Thankfulness to God during difficulty builds humility and wisdom for the better times.

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

So, are you grateful to God even when a friend or your spouse has let you down? Are you thanking Him right now for His blessings beyond what you could have ever imagined? Gratitude to God gives you an attractive attitude toward others and their shortcomings. It’s out of an appreciative heart that the Lord is able to capture your heart. Thankfulness to Jesus Christ incubates humility, creates contentment, purges pride and looks to love.

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:25).

How can I express gratitude to God in my current situation? How can I bless others?

Related Readings: Psalm 136:26; Daniel 6:10; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:3

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God