Thankful—No Matter What by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

Thanksgiving is a day we set aside to be thankful for the many blessings we’ve received. We might even overlook the hardships we could be going through for at least this day.

However what do we do the rest of the year? Are we thankful for everything, whether good or bad, in every way? The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). The Apostle Paul is exhorting us to give thanks—no matter what.

It’s not always easy to be thankful when we are:

Sick

Penniless

Heartbroken

Unhappy

Anxious

But what if we start thanking God even when it is not in our hearts to do so? We could even say I don’t feel like being thankful but I trust you have a reason for why this hardship is happening to me—so thank you.

One of my favorite songs is called Gratitude by Brandon Lake. Many mornings I start my day by worshiping God with that song to simply thank the Lord for waking me up, and for another day to serve Him. It’s a practical way to get into an attitude of Thanksgiving year-round.

So will you join me in thanking God tomorrow, then the next day, and the day after that?  He wants us to thank him in the good seasons and bad because when we do, He knows that we trust Him—no matter what.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!