Acts of Gratitude for Ordinary DaysSample

In All Circumstances

At a women’s small group, my friend was recently asked to list reasons she was grateful. Enthusiastically, she compiled a list and scrawled it in her notebook. When the leader suggested praying to thank God for those items, she didn’t hesitate to bow her head.

After a few minutes, she looked up as the leader began to speak again.

“Great job,” the woman said. “Now, think of all the things that have been hard ­lately—​­situations that haven’t gone the way you thought they would, relationships that are difficult, or work or family issues that have been challenging.”

­Mentally—​­and somewhat less ­enthusiastically—​­my friend composed a list and waited for further direction.

“Okay,” the leader said. “Now, thank God for those things too.”

My friend was dumbfounded. Really? Thank God for the work project that had blown up in her face? The stressful situation with her extended family? The weird, worrisome noise in her car?

Less willingly, my friend bowed her head. At first, she felt uncomfortable and inauthentic. But as one minute turned to two and then three, she began to breathe more easily. Thanking God for the hard things helped her not only to recognize their influence on her stress level but also to clarify what was true: she trusted God, and she trusted that he would work in and through the challenges. That was a reason to be grateful, after all.

In the same way, we cannot always see how the good and the difficult puzzle pieces of our lives fit together; yet if we choose to trust God, we know that our temporary trials are ultimately for our good and his glory. If we pray about everything and give thanks in all circumstances, we will always find reasons to be grateful.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

List a few challenging situations you’re currently facing, then spend time praying and thanking God for them.