It’s easy to be grateful when everything in life is going well and events unfold according to your desires and plans.  But how do you react when you’re in a state of great distress? Are you still grateful?

Someone once asked me, “How can you thank God when you’re in the midst of turmoil?” I said, “Let’s look at the choices I have.  I can be miserable, worried and angry. Or, I can give up my ways and surrender to the One who is in charge of every breath I take.”  It’s very difficult to praise and thank God in the midst of turmoil, when you or your loved ones are suffering and nothing seems within your control. We are not thanking God for our pains and adversity, but we acknowledge that He is sovereign and He will never leave us or forsake us. We are thanking God because He is a good and loving God and He will use our situation for His purposes, bringing good out of even bad circumstances.

Surrendering with thankfulness is a difficult inner battle that we all must fight. Cultivating a grateful spirit leads us first to salvation, and then to an ever deepening level of relationship with God.  As a result, we will feel His peace and find a place of rest, knowing God has our back.  God doesn’t want His involvement in our lives restricted to just one area.  He wants us to submit completely, with every ounce of our being to Him. Give Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1)

One of the great teachers in our church taught me the following truth: “It is the attitude of gratitude that can change lives.” It was God’s perfect timing for me to hear that message when I did. One of my loved ones was suffering with an illness. I kept praying for healing, but my prayers were heavy with heartache and worries. As I began to embrace an attitude of gratitude, the worry, sadness, and heaviness lost its power over me.  As I started thanking God, praising and worshiping Him instead of complaining, not only did I receive the peace of God, but also my love one’s suffering began to lessen. 

The Bible says in (Philippians 4:6)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude brings acceptance, clarity, peace, and beautiful moments…