Grateful for God's Goodness: 10 Encouraging Bible Verses When It Is Hard To Be Thankful
- Dawn Ward
- 20 minutes ago
- 5 min read
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
The season of thankfulness is upon us. It is the time of year when we begin reflecting on all we are grateful for. Family, friends, and the many blessings God gives us.
With Christmas just around the corner, we anticipate with gratitude the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. However, in this joyful season, as we reflect on our many blessings, being thankful isn’t always easy.
It's hard to be grateful when we are hurting. When we are suffering physically or mentally. When our loved one is struggling, sick, or estranged from us. When grieve the loss of someone precious to us.
I understand how you feel. My father’s passing this year weighs heavily on my heart as waves of grief overtake otherwise ordinary moments of gratitude. Still, in my grief, I am thankful for the Lord who comforts me.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
When we are facing difficult and painful trials or the people we care for most are hurting, maintaining an attitude of gratitude may seem impossible. It is challenging to keep our focus on God's goodness when our hearts are breaking and worry is our constant companion.
Be encouraged! Although our worries may be great, our God is greater. His word reminds us to not be anxious about anything but—with gratitude—give our concerns to Him.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Because we know God is good and that He cares for us, we can replace our constant worrying with an attitude of gratefulness. In doing so, the Lord will exchange our anxiety for perfect peace and our stress for renewed rest.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
How are we supposed to be grateful for a loved one, friend, or complete stranger who is making our life miserable? The Lord calls us to give thanks to Him for His faithful love and His wondrous works towards all humanity. That includes...everyone. Our rebellious children, wayward family members, and friends who have betrayed us. Even our overly demanding boss or the backstabbing gossips at church. Everyone.
“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:31 ESV
Here are a few pointers that help me practice gratitude in challenging and stressful seasons of my life.
Acknowledge God’s goodness
One practice that helps me stay thankful no matter how bad things may be is to remind myself that God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. Because we serve a good God, we can be grateful because we know His goodness is at work in our lives.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV
Ask to have eyes that see God's goodness
I ask the Lord to open my eyes so I can see the blessings He has around me. You see, because things are bad in this corner does not take away from the blessing in the opposite corner. Also, bad doesn’t necessarily mean that things are all bad. This is why the Lord promises to bring something good out of our bad circumstances.
God can’t be anything but good, so when He is in it, we are guaranteed something good will come out of it.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
Finding the Lord’s blessings in the hard times is easier when we ask Him to help us see our life and trials through His eyes. He has an eternal perspective and understands the bigger picture. Our view is myopic. We lack distance vision and can only see our circumstances as they appear at this very moment. God sees the end from the beginning and faithfully guides us through the storms we face in life.
Gratitude comes when we see things are they really are, not as our circumstances cause them to appear. Our Lord graciously gives us His thoughts and understanding as we seek Him.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 ESV
Pray for God's goodness in the lives of others
This can be hard when someone’s actions have caused us intense pain and suffering. While some may be doing so intentionally, they also may going through a painful season themselves. Instead of stressing out over their actions, the Lord instructs us to love them and pray for them.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44 ESV
When we start to see these people as the Lord sees them—helpless and broken—we are better able to love and pray for them. Our hearts can be filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with them.
My prayer is that you will have eyes that see hope and hearts that are full of God's love. May you grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding as His word enlightens your mind and gives you a better understanding of your circumstances and those of the people you care about. And may your soul be comforted by the presence of His Spirit.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving. I am grateful for each of you. May your families know the love of God and may they find help, health, and peace. God bless you.
Dear Lord.
We are so grateful for your tremendous goodness towards us. May we be filled with gratitude for all you are and for the love you pour out on us.
Amen.
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