“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Life doesn’t always go the way we expect.
Sometimes, the prayers we pray aren’t answered how we hoped.
Sometimes, doors close that we thought would open.
And sometimes, we’re left standing in the in-between—trusting that God’s goodness is still true, even when we can’t see it yet.
It’s in those moments that our gratitude is tested.
It’s one thing to be thankful when life feels good—when prayers are answered, relationships are strong, and things seem to fall into place. But the real transformation happens when we learn to give thanks not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful.
Gratitude That’s Grounded, Not Fragile
Circumstantial thankfulness is fragile—it sways with our emotions and depends on outcomes.
But gratitude that’s rooted in God’s character? That’s unshakable.
When we understand that gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is okay, but about trusting the One who is okay, everything shifts.
In A Pace of Grace, I talk about what it means to live anchored in who God is, rather than what we do or what we have. This is that same kind of anchoring—it’s the kind of gratitude that says,
“Even when I don’t feel it, even when I don’t see it—You are still worthy of my thanks.”
That kind of thankfulness grows deep roots. It’s not surface-level or seasonal; it’s spiritual. It endures storms because it’s planted in the soil of God’s faithfulness.
When Gratitude Feels Out of Reach
There have been times in my life when gratitude didn’t come naturally—when it felt like a discipline rather than a delight.
In those seasons, I learned that sometimes the most powerful prayers are the simplest ones:
“Lord, help me to see You here.”
Because gratitude isn’t about ignoring the pain; it’s about acknowledging God’s presence within it.
It’s saying, “Even in this, I know You are good.”
Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 don’t tell us to give thanks for all circumstances, but in them. There’s a big difference. Gratitude doesn’t mean we’re thankful for loss, pain, or confusion—it means we’re choosing to trust that God’s goodness hasn’t changed, even when our situation has.
The Steadiness of God’s Character
When everything else in life shifts, God remains steady.
His love doesn’t depend on our performance. His grace doesn’t run dry. His faithfulness doesn’t falter with our circumstances.
When we root our thankfulness in who He is, we find a steadiness that no situation can shake.
This kind of gratitude looks like peace in the middle of uncertainty.
It looks like worship in the waiting.
It looks like hope in the heartbreak.
Because when our gratitude is anchored in God’s character, we can face anything and still say, “It is well with my soul.”
The Practice of Steady Gratitude
One of the ways I’ve learned to nurture this kind of thankfulness is through stillness—slowing down enough to notice the small reminders of God’s presence.
It’s easy to overlook them when life feels heavy:
The quiet sunrise that whispers new mercy.
The unexpected text that lifts your spirit.
The Scripture verse that meets you exactly where you are.
Gratitude in hard seasons often starts with something small—one whispered “thank You” that grows into another.
When we take time to pause, to reflect, and to remember His goodness, it realigns our hearts.
Even when circumstances shift, our confidence in His love does not.
A Gentle Challenge
This week, take a moment to reflect:
What are you thankful for that has nothing to do with your circumstances?
How has God shown Himself faithful, even when life didn’t go as planned?
Where have you seen His steady hand at work in your story lately?
Write them down. Speak them out loud. Share them with someone else.
Because gratitude that’s spoken has power—it changes the atmosphere around us and reminds our hearts of what’s true.
A Prayer of Thankfulness
Lord, thank You that my gratitude doesn’t depend on what’s happening around me, but on who You are within me.
Thank You that Your love never fails, Your promises never change, and Your presence never leaves.
Teach me to be thankful in every circumstance—to trust that You are good, even when life feels uncertain.
Let my heart remain steady in Your faithfulness, and may my gratitude become a reflection of Your grace.
Amen.
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