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Prayer: Father, You are the giver of all good gifts. You have given me so much to be thankful for, more than I could ever deserve or count. Thank You for the good times as well as the difficult times. Help me to see You in the midst of everything and praise You, no matter the circumstances. Thank You for loving me despite my brokenness, and for specially molding my life to show this. Forgive me for not having a heart of thankfulness.  Help me to see the world as You do.  Mold me to be grateful in every situation. Amen

In Everything—Yes, Everything

Imagine you’re a time traveler—stick with me on this. You travel back to 33 AD where everyone is wearing OG Chacos. It’s a Friday, but not a typical Friday. You realize that this day is what we in modern times call Good Friday: when Jesus was brutally killed on the cross. It’s evening time and the tomb has been sealed. You find one of Jesus’s disciples, Peter, and say, “Hey, isn’t this a Good Friday?”

Imagine the look on Peter’s face: one of pure disdain. “Do you not know what just happened?!? They killed Jesus! It’s the furthest thing from a good Friday!” is probably along the lines of what he would say.

But he doesn’t know. It won't be until Sunday morning that Jesus rises from the dead, defeats death, and shows that Friday's events, regardless of the brutality, were very good and necessary. We never know God’s plan when we are in the middle of it. During the worst of circumstances, He is there, and has a plan to turn our situation into good. We just have to trust Him. Friday may seem hopeless, but stand firm—Sunday is coming. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to be thankful in everything. This includes the good and “other news.” We can’t determine if the “other news” is good or bad until all the facts are in. In the moment, Peter didn’t know Friday was actually exactly what he—and all of humanity—needed. Praise the Lord for Friday, because without it, we would not have Sunday.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What are some difficult things that you have been through that seemed hopeless at the time, but now you can see God’s hand at work? 
2. What are some of the more difficult things in life you could be thankful for? 

What’s Next: 

1. Create a list of 10 things you’re thankful for. It can be anything! If you keep thinking of things, keep writing! Do this every morning this week to start building the muscle of thankfulness. 
2. Pray: “Lord, help me be thankful for my current circumstances. Give me the eyes to see the world as You do. Amen”