A Grateful Heart

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thessalonians 5:16-18

With the sound of the kitchen mixer whirring, the swirling scent of pumpkin pie, and the joyful laughter of loved ones filling the house, I could tell this Thanksgiving would be special.

To add to the excitement, my family decided to try out a new turkey recipe. After over 12 hours of brining, basting, stuffing, and roasting the 20-pound bird, we couldn’t wait to give it a try.

I could not believe my eyes when I opened the oven door!

Instead of a perfectly golden 20-pound turkey covered in spices and sweet citrus, I saw a pathetic pile of ash and bone, black and brown, smoked beyond recognition.

And all we could salvage was a tiny wing and its morsel of meat. What a shame.

We could allow the Thanksgiving disaster to ruin our day or choose to be grateful for what God had already provided.

Reflecting on this now-comical Thanksgiving Day, I can’t help but consider the Apostle Paul’s words to the believers in Thessalonica. Paul urged the Thessalonians to [rejoice] always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Really, Paul? All circumstances? In light of Jesus’ promised return, Paul encouraged believers to be people marked by rejoicing, persistent prayer, and ever-grateful hearts. Is this true of us in all circumstances?

Is it even possible to truly be grateful in all circumstances? Even when our Thanksgiving Day turkeys burn up? When we’re stuck in busy traffic on the way to work? When a friend turns her back on us? When we receive devastating news?

Friend, we cannot be grateful in all circumstances in our own strength. But in God’s strength, we can respond with grateful hearts as we look to Him. Empowered by His Spirit, we can search for the beauty in every circumstance rather than embrace bitterness.

Paul was very familiar with hardship, from prison, to shipwrecks, to hunger. And yet, Paul is the one exhorting the Thessalonian believers to be grateful in all circumstances. Wow. Paul had practiced gratitude in many less-than-ideal circumstances.

Paul’s attitude of thankfulness was his choice. It’s our choice too. God wants to strengthen us to embrace the same thankful attitude that Paul did…in all circumstances.

Some of you reading this may be dealing with doubts, disappointments, or challenging diagnoses. Friend, if this is your story, you are not alone. We are praying for you even as you pray for the GEMS ministry.* Some days, you may find it tough to recount God’s goodness. But trust me…trust the Apostle Paul…trust God’s own words when He said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

I urge you to look for God’s blessings today. We may have to look a little harder in some seasons. We may need to call on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us see the blessings when our hearts feel weary.

In God’s strength, may our hearts be ever-grateful to our gracious God, and may our lips overflow with gratitude in all circumstances.

Pause & Reflect:

  1. Friend, when did you last pause to thank the Lord for the blessings He has already provided? Take time to do so now. You may want to journal your thoughts, pray aloud, or discuss them with a friend and then pray together. See how many blessings you can think of to be grateful for.
  2. Maybe you’re preparing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. As you gather ingredients, remember to give thanks along the way, even in the busy grocery lines.
  3. Think of someone you are especially grateful for. Be intentional in sharing with this person why you’re thankful for him/her today. You may want to send a text, make a phone call, FaceTime, or tell him/her in person over coffee.
  4. If this has been a challenging season for you and you’re struggling to notice God’s blessings, invite a friend or family member to help you recount God’s faithfulness. You can ask them to remind you of stories of God’s provision, love, and care. Remembrance often leads to reverence and a grateful heart to the Lord.

Friend, will you join me in prayer today?

Dear God, Giver of all good gifts (James 1:17),
You have blessed us with so much to be grateful for. We are thankful for the gifts of life, love, laughter, family, friends, GEMS, and more. We are most thankful for Your Son, Jesus, and His finished sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Thank You for the hope of Heaven for all who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Strengthen us to give thanks in all circumstances as we look to You. Give us eyes to see the blessings You have hidden in each day. Give us grateful hearts in every season, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

*Please let us know how we can be praying for you. Email us at prayers@gemsgc.org today.