I prefer to thank God for some things, not all things! How about you?
To be honest, there are circumstances that I don’t feel very thankful for.
Sometimes I don’t want to thank Him because it makes me feel helpless and I prefer to do something to “fix” the circumstances.
Have you ever felt that way?
Other times, I honestly don’t want to thank Him because I feel that I am resigning myself to believing that things will never get better.
Right now, I am choosing to go ahead and thank God for circumstances even before I feel thankful.
You can do the same!
Start with How You Feel
“God, I don’t feel thankful right now. I honestly don’t want to thank you for this circumstance.
Your word says for me to thank you FOR all circumstances – Ephesians 5:20
Please help me to thank you.”
Thank Him Right Now
Choose your own prayer or pick any of these:
• Thank You for this challenge.
• Thank You that I need your help.
• Thank You that You are already working in the situation.
• Thank You that is not too big for You.
Ask for Wisdom
God, if there’s something that You want me to do, please show me and equip me to do what’s necessary.
If You want me to accept what I cannot change, may I surrender to You.
Watch for God’s Activity
Each time might be a little different, but some of the things that can happen as you give thanks to God:
- Negative thought patterns can gradually grow weaker.
- He gives you joy not based on your circumstances.
- You can sense His presence more fully.
- You can see circumstances from God’s perspective.
- His presence fills you with joy and peace.
- Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on what God is doing.
Confident Hope Overflows
People will see God in you rather than your own strength.
You will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
Your abundant life not based on circumstances will overflow.
Question: What are you thanking God for today? You can answer in the comments below.
Thanks, Mary Lou. You hit another blog out of the ballpark. I love that gratitude and thanksgiving are not a feeling but rather a choice…
Thanks so much for your encouragement Pam.
Hello Mary Lou Thank you for a wonderful gratitude list of statements. Funny how God gives you what you need when you need it. I am not grateful at all right now since not passing the oral however there is something to be learned from this and it is humility. I will thank the Lord for His goodness and grace to endure all things. I am sure there are many times ahead for disappointment as a coach and also road blocks to overcome even in my business.
Thank you again Mary Lou God bless you always for being a bright and shining light.
So glad that it encouraged you Donna.
Mary Lou,
Today, I thank God for you. Thank you for telling me what i already know, what I try each day to do. Today, I also thank God for healing in my body, be it a miracle, or through the hands of the surgeon Monday morning.
Today, I also thank God for my (almost 3yr old) grand daughter who is with me today, not fully understanding that Paw Paw can’t run and chase her, as she runs “super fast” (In her words.)
But most of all, I thank God for the Blood that washes my sins away.
I have read some of your posts, and you have mine, but I was going through the doc on Hope*Writers Facebook Page, and wanted to stop in again for a visit. So Glad I did.
God Bless!
Jason, so glad that you get to have your grand daughter with you today! Thanks for your comments.
Thanking God today out of gratitude…for my kids, grandchildren, and yes, my great grandchildren – seven (7) great grandsons and one (1) great granddaughter. Thank you Mary Lou.
Thank you so much Dad and Mom, we are very grateful for you also!
Thank you for the encouragement to move a little farther into gratitude–I am thanking God not only for his grace to handle an unexpected interruption of my plan for the day, but also for the day, because in it he is giving me a deeper understanding of my need for grace.
Jane, you just have such a beautiful way with words. Thank you for sharing.