How to Be Grateful When Life Is HardSample

We feel gratitude, and we give thanks.

Blessings include gifts in our life and God’s provision, but it can also include God’s comforting presence, His ongoing work in us, and what He teaches us in His Word. “Blessings” encompass many things. It’s broader and deeper than idyllic social media photos. But we often focus only on positive things with thanksgiving.

However, thanksgiving isn’t just for the “good stuff” we ask for in life. We can give thanks in all circumstances since God’s good, wise, and kind sovereignty allows whatever comes our way.

We can give thanks because God brings light into darkness (John 1:5), order out of chaos (Gen. 1:1–3), and victory through pain (Acts 2:23–24). God restores what was lost (Job 42:10). What others meant for evil, God intends for good (Gen. 50:20). Only God can do these things. Apart from Him, trials only lead to sorrow and despair, but we can give thanks knowing He will work out everything for our good in the end.

The main thread in Daniel’s story is suffering. Israel’s conquering enemy Babylon ravaged their homeland, then deported them to a foreign land with all its pagan beliefs and practices. Despite his faithfulness and obedience to God, Daniel would be attacked, persecuted, maligned, imprisoned, and mistreated. He suffered, and he watched his people suffer.

Despite a life of hardship, Daniel trusted God. Instead of grumbling, he anchored his life on the rock-solid hope of God’s sovereignty and wisdom. And because of this, he could give thanks for everything. Trials didn’t silence thanksgiving. Though he’s a powerless pawn subject to a tyrant king, Daniel can praise God because no earthly kingdom’s power and knowledge compares to God’s wisdom and might.

God has a plan and purpose for each part of your life. The season you’re in, whether in the valley or on the mountaintop, is not in vain. The relationships, roles, places, and positions He’s put you in aren’t accidental. He has a purpose for you there. Your trials and temptations aren’t punishments. They’re for your growth, not to mention the good of others and His glory.

God has good purposes in everything, and so in everything, we can give thanks. We give thanks by leaning into trust and claiming God’s promises in our pain. We trust Him for what’s unseen and unknown because we see and know Him.

Continue to thank God for the blessings and gifts in your life. Cultivate this habit by daily meditating on God’s grace and generosity to you. But today, take a few minutes to consider how you can also give thanks in challenging circumstances.

Where has God placed you (family, relationships, work, city, church, roles, positions), and how can you thank Him for these things? How can you thank Him amidst your trials? Are there ways you see Him at work?