How to Be Grateful When Life Is HardSample

Some Christian preaching, literature, and music oversell us on a mountaintop faith without valleys, but that’s not the biblical portrait of life in a fallen world. As Jesus told us, we will have troubles in this world (John 16:33).

In reading Psalm 28, we see that it is a lament psalm. David seeks God’s mercy in distressed circumstances yet is both sorrowful and rejoicing. David offers us encouragement by how he endures hardship honestly. He feels turmoil through trials and laments struggles, whether they be attacks from enemies or God’s silence. And yet, he trusts and gives thanks to God who hears his cry. Trust allows both David and us to bring our complaints to Him in lament and our praise to Him in thanksgiving.

Many Christians do not allow themselves to be honest about the impact of circumstances on their lives. We might think we’re called to put on a happy face no matter what, never experiencing emotion through storms, never grieving brokenness, and never lamenting injustices. God never calls us to a fake happiness in which we fade on the inside while forcing an outward smile. The Christian life isn’t one of gloom and doom, but it’s also not one of eternal sunshine where clouds never cross our path.

As David gives thanks to God rather than grumbling, fear gives way to faith. The more he considers what he’s facing, the more his confidence grows that God will deliver him. By praying, his frustration with God’s silence begins to turn into trust that God hears and will act. All this leads him to recall who God is—a shield, strength, and shepherd—so he can bless His name.

David gives thanks to God before receiving the answer to his prayer (28:7). He knows God hears and will take care of this situation. His giving thanks is a down payment of gratitude–not just because God listened, but because he believed God would answer his cry. Grief and gratitude can go together. We can lament and give thanks to the same God at the same time, even in the same circumstances.

Talk to God and consider His faithfulness when stressed, sorrowful, weak, or wavering. May we, like David, declare our trust in the Lord even when we are weary and discouraged (28:7). One way we do this is by giving thanks, even when there’s just as much to lament as there is to be thankful for. God will deliver us and carry us.