It is a wonderful time to pause and reflect with even more gratitude for every blessing you have received from God this year and even those yet to come. But don’t stop there! 

Not only are you to be thankful for the many blessings God gives you, but you are to also be thankful for the challenges you’ve encountered because you know God is with you.

To me, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in the Amplified Classic Bible says it all, “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”  

The Passion Translation reads, “And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” 

What to Do in Your Circumstances

Giving glory to God in all circumstances is not always easy, but it’s essential to walking by faith. The New International Bible tells you to "give thanks in all circumstances," including when life doesn’t go according to your plans. 

As you choose to glorify God, even during trials and hardships, you make a powerful declaration of trust in His faithfulness, goodness, and sovereignty to you.

There have been several times in my life where circumstances were not how I wanted them to be; like when my first husband died, or when I rolled my pickup truck, and it took months for it to be repaired. There was the time our vehicle was repossessed, and our home was foreclosed on, leaving us homeless for a short period of time. 

Oh, and then there was the time our 18-year-old daughter decided she was going to be independent and crawl out of the bathroom window at 2:30 a.m. and get married at the courthouse the next morning. And the hardship and disappointments that I experienced with the untimely death of family members and others that I loved. 

Being Grateful in the Midst of Pain

And yet, living a life of gratitude and gratefulness is not about denying your pain or pretending that everything is okay when, in reality, it is not. Instead, it’s about recognizing that God’s presence is always with you regardless of what you go through. 

It’s about understanding that even when life feels out of control, you have a loving God who sent His Holy Spirit to help you regard control of your life, and you can find your peace and resting place in knowing not only Jesus, but Holy Spirit is with you. They are not going to leave you.

By choosing gratitude and giving glory to God during your tests and trials, you invite His presence, His peace, and His strength into your life, allowing you to endure difficult seasons with His grace.

Trusting God with Ups and Downs

As you know, life is a journey filled with peaks and valleys, joys and sorrows, and triumphs and challenges. Along the way, you encounter moments filled with happiness and gratitude, while at other times, you find yourself weighed down by difficulties that test your faith and resolve.

However, within every trial you encounter, there is an opportunity to trust in God’s unwavering goodness to you, even if your perspective is clouded.

Regardless of your circumstances, an attitude of thankfulness is a powerful tool for navigating life's ups and downs. A grateful response transforms your perspective, deepens your faith, and opens doors for God’s peace to reign in your hearts.

What to Do Facing Uncertainty

I share this revelation with you because of the years of life I’ve enjoyed, as well as the recent challenges and life changes I’ve encountered this year. Being retired from my second career, I actually thought I was done working for someone else and was going to stay home. 

There was only one thing wrong with that, and it was that I started living a "settle-for life" lifestyle. I could tell my mind was not as sharp as it had been, nor as sharp physically as I had once been.

I began thanking God for the more He had in store for me because I sensed I was facing uncertainty in my life. I thanked Him for where I was and asked Him if he had more for me to do. Then, I began to thank Him for the new things stirring in my heart.

Where to Shift Your Focus

One of the most powerful tools you have to navigate the unpredictable times in your life when they come is to practice gratitude and an abiding thankfulness that continues even when life’s circumstances seem unfavorable.

When you live with a grateful heart and continuously thank God for His goodness, you begin to live with a more profound sense of His purpose. You no longer see yourself as a victim of your circumstances but as a child of God who is deeply loved and cared for. 

This shift in perspective allows you to face challenges with even more courage because you know God is working all things together for your good, as Romans 8:28 tells you.

Gratitude opens your eyes to the opportunities God places before you, even in difficult situations. Rather than focusing on what is wrong, you see how God uses these moments to refine you, grow your faith, and draw you closer to Him.

How to Overcome Fear

During the Spring of this year, I was given the opportunity to decide if I was going to give in mentally to a fear of failure that almost paralyzed me or if I was going to conquer a difficult, fearful situation by using my faith and speaking life to my mind and the situation.

When you live with a heart of gratitude, you are more likely to recognize God’s hand at work in every situation, just as I did. I became more aware of how He was blessing me with strength, courage, and mental fortitude during that pressing time, just as He has always done in the past.

Living a life of gratitude enables you to be a light for others to follow. When people see you consistently giving thanks and glorifying God in tough times, it speaks volumes about the depth of your faith. Your gratitude becomes a testimony to others, showing them the power and peace that comes from trusting God, regardless of what life throws at you.

Practical Ways to be Grateful

Additionally, there are several practical ways to cultivate gratitude, such as starting a gratitude journal. Each day, write down at least three things you’re thankful for. Over time, this simple habit can help you shift your focus onto the more positive aspects of your life.

Be sure to thank God in prayer by making it a habit to start your prayers and conversations by thanking Him for His goodness, whether things are going well or not. You can always thank God for how He works in your life, and this helps you focus on the good things.

Always remember to praise God in the storm when challenges arise. Even a simple “Thank you, Lord, for being with me!” can help shift your focus off of the problem and onto God’s power and presence.

Remember to speak life and blessings over your life and situation because life and death are in the power of the tongue, according to Proverbs 18:21. Instead of whining and complaining, speak life-giving words of gratitude and hope. Decree God’s promises over your life in every situation.

The most significant way to show your gratitude is to serve others because sometimes, the best way to cultivate gratitude is by helping those in need. Focusing on serving others reminds you of how blessed you are and what you have to be thankful for in your life.

How to Position Your Heart and Mind

Remember, gratitude is more than simply being thankful for what you have or the blessings you receive. It’s a heart posture and mindset, a way of seeing the world that acknowledges and appreciates the goodness of God and His blessings in your life, even during the hard, challenging times.

Being thankful helps shift your focus from what you lack to what you already have, and it encourages you to recognize God’s big and small blessings that you experience every day.

As I pause in this season of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for Jeffrey Hardwick and A Transforming Word Ministries because Jeffrey has allowed God to use him to impact not only my life but countless others around the world.

Joy is found in giving the right answer. And how good is a word spoken at the right time! Proverbs 15:23