Thankfulness When Life is Hard

We are in a season a thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is next week and I know that in my family we go around the table and express what we are thankful for. It’s a great time of year for us to be continually reminded of the blessings we have been given

But sometimes it is hard to be thankful, especially when things seem to be continuously going wrong

We are called to be thankful always, 

“Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Here are some things you can do to remain thankful even in times where life stinks:

1. Remember who God is
2. • God’s goodness is not determined by our circumstances, but it is determined through his character
   • He is good, powerful, loving and faithful (so many Biblical examples)
   • • He helped the Israelites out of Egypt
     • He gave his people many chances, even though they turned away from him
     • He sent us Jesus to allow us the opportunity for a relationship with him
   • God does not enjoy to watch his children suffer, when you are suffering, he is suffering with you
   • When we have the ability to be thankful, it shows that we trust God and truly believe He is the good father.
3. Remain connected to God
4. • in our prayer series I mentioned that God wants to hear about everything
   • • he cares so deeply about us and desires for us to share the difficult times with him
   • When we are deeply connected to him in prayer or scripture (both!) We are able to have a more positive outlook on life, which allows us to be more thankful
5. Take time to list your blessings
6. • When we take the time to thank God, we are focused on the blessings he has given us
   • I find this to be extremely helpful even if the only things on the list are the fact that I am alive and healthy
   • When you are struggling with finding the positivity in life, it helps to start doing things like this, because no matter how bleak life may seem, there is always something to be thankful for.
   • If we obsess over the negative things in our lives, we will miss out on identifying the good things that are happening as well 

Prayer of thanksgiving: Pray through a Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 100, Psalm 118 or Psalm 136)

As believers we have the privilege of having joy even when life is hard because God has promised us a better future.