Be thankful.

It’s pretty hard to be thankful for all circumstances. Should we be thankful for a broken marriage, a broken leg, a broken heart?

Paul isn’t asking that of us.

He’s inviting us to be thankful in all circumstances—not for them.

For many years, I exchanged a daily gratitude list with a few women. We were writing to God and to ourselves more than to each other, but sharing our lists kept us connected. In the beginning, I had to work to come up with even a few things. Later, I often had to stop myself because the list would go on and on.

This practice helped me most when I was struggling. I remember making gratitude lists about the very person—or situation—that was bothering me, and it shifted everything. Gratitude doesn’t erase the problem, but it changes our posture in the middle of it.

At different times in my journey, this command by Saint Paul has felt impossible. I’ve faced things no one would expect a person to be thankful for. But again—Scripture doesn’t asks that. We’re not grateful for the hardship. We’re grateful in the hardship. And there is always something to be thankful for.

Right now, I’m dealing with a rather massive home-repair issue—but I have a thousand reasons to give thanks. I’m peaceful. A solution is underway. I’m not standing knee-deep in water. My home isn’t on fire. I have solid support. Even in trial, God shows us small mercies that carry big weight.

When we’re facing stress or a strained relationship, it’s easy to overlook the blessings that surround the problem—or even soften it. And it’s true: things can always be worse. Gratitude reveals what’s still intact, still beautiful, still working.

Paul calls us to be thankful in every circumstance—not for every circumstance.

A grateful heart won’t solve every problem, but it will strengthen us in it. And that, Paul says, is God’s will.

PRACTICE

What’s bugging you right now?

Write down five positive things related to that very situation.

Thank God for each one.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, cultivating gratitude truly takes practice. Give us the grace to be thankful in every circumstance—even the hardest ones. Open our eyes to see the hidden mercies, the upside, and the ways You are already helping us. In the name of Your Son we ask.

Thank You. I love You.💖

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