Let’s talk about giving thanks in all circumstances.
Is it actually possible to give thanks in ALL circumstances? What happens when tragedy strikes?
Or when you lose a loved one or even hit rock bottom?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced both and hitting rock bottom was my most recent venture.
At first, complaining about my situation was all I did. I failed to see how I could be grateful for anything if I had what seemed to be nothing.
It felt unfair, lonely, and that God wanted me miserable.
But then I was reminded of how my external circumstances didn’t have to determine my internal temperature.
There is always something to give thanks for even in the middle of hardship. And I say this as I am just beginning to pick up the pieces.
Today we’re talking about how to give thanks in ALL circumstances, the purpose behind doing so, and most importantly how to do it.
This post is all about giving thanks in ALL circumstances.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Does It Mean To Give Thanks In All Circumstances
The purpose of life is for us to be God’s witnesses. To know, believe, and understand that God is He (Isaiah 43:10).
We all have one collective purpose, distinct opportunities to partner in the commission, and unique assignments within the collective purpose.
None of this has to be though. Do you realize how privileged we are to have the opportunity to know, believe, and understand the One who created all things seen and unseen?
I get caught up in what I don’t have, what’s happened to me, and who isn’t around rather seeing the beauty of where I am and Who is with me.
I must admit that I’ve said and looked at what I have as the bare minimum, but in all reality and truth… I have life and many things to be grateful for.
I don’t know about you, but God should’ve been casted me away based on my words alone. And don’t get me started on my actions.
So thinking through it, giving thanks in all circumstances is giving God thanks for the opportunity to know Him in this life.
The way He presents Himself to each of us will look different, but to know Him is to know love. And that is the center of everything we crave.
Think about it: We try to find love in everything and in everyone, but it’s only found in God himself.
And He wants to give us Him which is priceless.
Reflection Question: What if in every circumstance you got a chance to see a new facet of Love?
Most people think of purpose as an individual pursuit. I believe that it’s much deeper. Every human is essentially placed on Earth for one primary reason. All other reasons stem from the primary. I call this the “Purpose Cluster” and I’ll explain it further in the next episode of the Let’s Geaux BF! podcast. Click the image below to have a listen to the first episode and stay tuned for the seconded dropping January 19th.
Why Are We Supposed To Give Thanks In All Circumstances
Love wouldn’t be love without the power to choose. In the garden of Eden, there were two main trees to choose from: The Tree Of Life and The Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil.
Today, we are still choosing to eat from one or the other.
Giving thanks in all circumstances is choosing to eat from the Tree Of Life. When we express thanks, we are operating in God’s will.
Choosing gratitude produces useful and fruitful thinking which turns into useful and fruitful actions. We were commanded to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28 NIV).
This command wasn’t a command to have an army of children, but it was a call to be one with Christ.
Giving thanks in all circumstances is a way to be with God in everything. It’s choosing to bring life to every situation.
The Result Of Ingratitude
Ingratitude is the first step to walking outside of God’s will.
In Romans 1, Paul states that the wrath of God is revealed against our unrighteousness (Romans 1:18 NIV).
He goes on to say that although people knew God, they chose not to glorify Him as God or give Him thanks (Romans 1:21 NIV).
When we know what God tell us to do and we don’t take it seriously, our thinking becomes futile and our hearts become foolish and darkened.
Once we keep practicing such things, God gives us over to a depraved mind (a morally corrupt mind).
Romans 1 lists all of the unrighteousness and guess what’s the doorway to it?
Ingratitude. Knowing God, choosing not to take His word to you seriously and not giving Him thanks.
How To Be Thankful In All Circumstances
Being thankful in all circumstances doesn’t have to be hard. A slight change in mindset and some effort to do so positions us to make this a reality.
If God tells us to do anything, then that means that it can be done.
Here are four simple ways to practice being thankful in all circumstances:
1. Remember Your Purpose
We all share a collective purpose. Our purpose is to know, believe, and understand that God is He.
As long as you have breath in your body, you have a chance to operate in your purpose. Knowledge of purpose supersedes the worries about location, worldly positioning, whose around, and more.
When you know why you exist, you can construct your life around it.
Most people think of purpose as an individual pursuit. I believe that it’s much deeper. Every human is essentially placed on Earth for one primary reason. All other reasons stem from the primary. I call this the “Purpose Cluster” and I’ll explain it further in the next episode of the Let’s Geaux BF! podcast. Click the image below to have a listen to the first episode and stay tuned for the seconded dropping January 19th.
2. Remind Yourself That Every Situation Is An Opportunity For Purpose
What I’ve come to realize is that every situation is set up for us to know, believe, and understand that God is He.
The Earthly realm is the perfect set up for us to be like God and speak what He wants into existence.
For example, if you find yourself not having enough, that’s an opportunity!
If God is Jehovah Jireh, then you get to experience Him as your provider (A provider of much more than material things!)
There will never be a time when we aren’t in need of something from God. Just as a fish NEEDS to be in water to live, we NEED to remain attached to God to live.
Luckily for us, God knew us so well that He intentionally left little holes within life that only He can fill.
{RELATED POST: Overcoming Discouragement}
3. Practice Thanking God For Who He’s Been And Is
The word says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
His Word will always be the same so you can trust in it. God’s word is so beautiful because it gives us insight into His mind.
If you ever think that these words were only for those back then, then you are highly mistaken.
God’s character doesn’t change, but His methods do.
Every story in the Bible points to who God is and principles that still are relevant today. Again, if He says that He is Jehovah Jireh, then take a chance and believe it.
Just be sure to read your word because you’ll need to respond.
It’s not all about you receiving; it’s about becoming one.
4. Acknowledge Your Feelings, But Don’t Follow Them
If I can say anything about feelings and emotions, then I would say they are powerful. This is why they must be looked at through the lens of purpose.
Their purpose is to be your indicators; not your dictators. When they are taken out of the indicator role, they do damage to you and others (trust me, I know!).
Acknowledge how you feel, but never give them the right to become your leader.
You and I already have Someone who vows to guide us until the end (Psalm 48:14 NIV).
{RELATED POST: How To Deal With Emotions In A Healthy Way}
10 Reasons To Give Thanks To God
1. God Is Love
The love that we all are searching for is found in our Creator. We didn’t create love and we have no way of defining love without God.
Love is at the center of all of our beings because of Who created us.
To know God is to know love.
2. God Decided To Create You
It’s no coincidence that you’re here. You being on the Earth was a decision and from my personal beliefs an agreement.
No matter what you’ve faced thus far, there are still good plans for you because a good God created you.
You are an extension of His being designed to be loved and to love.
3. God Decided To Forgive You
Man corrupted the Earth. Not males. Man the spirit being that is in male and female bodies.
It was us that collectively corrupted the Earth and God came in a body like ours to rectify the situation.
Now, you are fully forgiven both now and forever.
This isn’t a license to sin, but it’s an invitation to be your original self.
4. God Gives You Chances To Return To Him
Returning to God is returning to your original self. Even if you are practicing lawlessness, you have an opportunity to turn away from it.
My favorite Bible verse is 2 Peter 3:9 which says God isn’t slow to His promise as some may think. No He is patient for our sake because He doesn’t want any of us to perish.
I don’t think of this in the light of eternal life only. What I believe is that God is patient enough to teach us so that we learn to be in right standing with Him.
He prepares us when He calls us and walks with us though life.
5. God Has Given You Purpose (A Reason To Live)
I know what it’s like to want to leave the Earth. I’ve attempted several times, but by the grace of God, I am still in the land of the living.
The reason why I appreciate this so much is because it can feel like there is no reason to be here.
This realm thrives on opposites. If your senses (meaning your sight, hearing, and etc.) is saying that you have no reason to live, that’s proof that there is a reason.
Plus, you do have an enemy who is all for fueling lies.
The reason why you were sent to the Earth is because you have purpose.
You have a reason to be here.
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6. God Wants To Have A Personal Relationship
To know, believe, and understand that God is He is a personal venture. You get the privilege of having a relationship with the One who created all things.
The start of that relationship is acknowledging that Jesus is He and God raised Christ from the dead (Romans 10:9).
7. God Has Good Plans For You
Contrary to what you’ve experienced, there are still good plans for your life. If you could think of ten good things, then God will probably top each of them and make it better.
The issue with us is that we think we know what’s best for our lives.
How could we know best if we didn’t create ourselves or life?
8. God Gave Up Everything For You To Know Him Personally
I don’t have children yet, but I always dreamed of having some.
No one in this life could promise me anything for me to send my child to a foreign land for ransom. NO ONE.
God chose to send His Son to Earth to pay our lofty debt.
Who do you know that would be willing to do that knowing that many would reject Him?
9. God Doesn’t Give You What You Deserve
I always thank God for His grace because I know I deserve the worst penalty.
The things I’ve done and said are vile and typically stem from wrong perspectives and hurt feelings. All in all it’s still wrong.
We know how we are and God does too.
But He still chooses to redirect us to the path of authenticity.
10. God Is Much Better Than You Think
I used to think that God was this monster in the sky who waited to send me to hell.
Bestie, hell wasn’t created for you or me. It was created for the fallen angels who chose to rebel long ago.
Hell is for the rebellious; not for those who choose to live with God.
More importantly, God’s foundation is love. When we are looking at Him as less than that, then we will have the wrong idea about Him.
Giving thanks in all circumstances becomes a little easier when the focus is on God. We don’t have a God who doesn’t care or is far away. Our God is close to us and He is full of love. God is truly a good God because He commands that we thank Him so that we can bring life to every situation. He gets the glory while we get the benefits. It’s a win win!
If that’s not amazing, then I don’t know what is. I used to see God as someone who was evil, but I’m now able to see Him as the one who knows and wants the best. What about you? How do you view God? Let’s talk about it in the comments down below.
This post was all about giving thanks in ALL circumstances.
If You Enjoyed This Post, You’ll Love These:
Godly Habits: 9 Ways To Practice Gratitude
Rejection From Family: 7 Tips To Move Forward And Heal
Forgiving Yourself: 5 Steps to Forgive Yourself God’s Way
5 Keys For Overcoming A Victim’s Mentality
How To Be Positive Everyday (Even When Your Environment Isn’t)
Before You Go…Let’s Recap
A quick recap of how to be thankful in all circumstances:
- Remember your purpose
- Remind yourself that every situation is an opportunity for purpose
- Practice thanking God for who He’s been and is
- Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t follow them
Let’s chat about it in the comments down below.
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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