He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me. Psalm 50:23

            What do you do when your life is going south? What do you do when it is “THANKSGIVING” and you have just lost a loved one… or just lost your job… or just lost your marriage?  We can’t really be expected to give thanks… can we?

            Sometimes thanksgiving is a sacrifice.  Sometimes we must thank God through clenched teeth and while holding back tears. The truth of the matter is, however, that thanksgiving, in the midst of a terrible storm, brings a great deal of joy to His heart, and it honors Him. It shows the Lord that we really trust Him… regardless of the adverse circumstances we are facing.

            Perhaps you are one of those, this year, who is having trouble finding good in your life. We need to be reminded that we need to look at Jesus because He never changes. Despite everything you might be facing, you can rejoice in Him. You can give thanks for Him and His love and care for you. You can give thanks that He promised to work all things together for good.  You may be doubting that right now, but that is the truth of His Word upon which we must stand, because that never changes, despite what we might be feeling.

            We need to train ourselves…we need to discipline ourselves to give thanks in everything. Remember… a sacrifice of thanksgiving brings honor to the Lord. Thank Him for that trial you are facing. Thank Him for that sorrow. He will use your thanks for His glory and your ultimate good!

            The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

            If I’m really honest, sometimes it’s the “all” in that verse that gets me. Most of us can be thankful, for lots of things, at lots of times, but in “all” circumstances? That can be tough.

            What about when you find yourself suffering illness, or defeat, or you’re walking through huge loss…what about when a loved one leaves this world too soon and you still can’t see past your tears…or when you’ve been praying for your prodigal son or daughter to come home and it seems like the prayers are unanswered…what about when you’re discouraged, disillusioned, and struggling with disbelief…or when you’re overwhelmed, overextended, and just fighting being over-stressed…what about when the needs mount high and the way doesn’t look clear…or when people are cruel, life seems unfair, and the enemy’s breathing down your back…what about when the storms come, and the car breaks down, or the air conditioner stops working on a holiday weekend?

            Yes, these are the “all” things that can be hard to find gratitude in, whether it’s huge losses or just life irritations. But God’s word never changes to fit our circumstances. His Truth rises above our circumstance, so that we can too. He doesn’t say give thanks “for it”, but “in it all,” because He knows He’s building more deeply into our lives and character than He could ever build without the hard times.

            We’re gaining strength. We’re gaining perseverance. We’re being reminded that true joy is never based on how we feel or our outside situations. We’re understanding that God’s ways are bigger, His thoughts are higher, and we can be assured that He holds us in His hands. And He is with us. Always.

            No matter what you might be facing, the good news is this, you woke up. He’s given us today. And if we’re still here, living and breathing, there is a purpose, so let our every breath bring honor to Him.

            Remember, we never fight the battles alone. Stay strong. Choose joy. Choose to be grateful in it “all.” For He is building greatness. He’s working things out for good. He hears our prayers, He sees all, and knows all. He has purpose for our pain, and brings hope for our tomorrows.  Trust Him and give Thanks!