Day 23 — Thank You, God

“Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (BSB)

Have you ever wondered, What does God want me to do? Lots of people ask that question. Here’s one answer the Bible gives very clearly: “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you.”

Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say to give thanks for every circumstance. You don’t have to say, “Thank You, God, that my grandpa is sick,” or “Thank You that I failed my test.” Those things are hard, and God knows it.

But it does say to give thanks in every circumstance. Even on a bad day, there’s always something to thank God for. He is still with you. He still loves you. You are still His child. And He is still working, even when you can’t see it.

The man who wrote these words was Paul. He wasn’t someone who had an easy life. He was beaten, thrown in prison, shipwrecked three times and chased out of town after town. Yet his letters are full of thank-yous. Paul had learned that thankfulness doesn’t depend on what’s happening around you. It depends on who God is.

Here’s a secret: being thankful changes you. When you complain, you notice more things to complain about. When you give thanks, you start noticing more of God’s gifts. A grumbly heart is a heavy heart. A thankful heart is a happy one.

Paul also says, “Pray without ceasing.” That doesn’t mean you have to pray every second of the day. It means keeping a conversation with God going all day long: a quick “thank You” when something good happens, a quick “help me” when something is hard. Thankfulness and prayer go together.

Remember Day 1? A rooted person is “overflowing with thankfulness.” The deeper your roots grow, the more thankful you’ll be.

Think about it: What is something hard in your life right now? What is one thing you can still thank God for in it?

Try this: Write a list of ten things you’re thankful for. Then say thank you to at least one person on your list.

Dear God, thank You! Thank You for [name some things]. Even on hard days, help me find reasons to thank You. Teach me to talk with You all day long. Make my heart overflow with thankfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.