“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His Name.”
Psalm 100:4
How to be grateful in all circumstances
Do you ever look around and wonder about the circumstances around you?
Sometimes this world hands out brutal circumstances. But you must remember – all these circumstances are temporary. In the face of eternity, they are but a minute fraction of a moment in time.
Yes, they are awful and painful and sometimes devastating at the moment. God takes this pain very seriously. Know and believe that our Father is very much in process of dealing with the adversary in a very permanent way.
But in this journey, if you are to be victorious, you determine your response – in defeat or in gratitude.
Despite the dark clouds of despair, you have an unwavering Savior and so when asked, “How are you?”
your response is always, “I am great – I have a Savior who has already won the victory.”
Yes, sometimes it is hard.
There have been times when it seemed impossible. But day by day, decision by decision, you can overcome and become thankful despite the circumstances. And with each passing day, it will be easier.
You can learn to practice being grateful in all circumstances.
And, don’t forget, God always keeps His promises.
Your turn…
Begin by repeating aloud the following scripture three times or as many times as you need for memorizing, “I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1
Start and end every day with this scripture and follow the scripture with a listing in alphabetical order what you are thankful for.
The list can be people in your life like Andrea, Bob, and Carolyn… or places like Australia, Boston, Cairo … or foods like avocado, bacon, and carrots. Bottom line, you are constantly surrounded by gifts to be thankful for so begin and end and spend your days in gratitude.
Establish this habit. It will make a huge difference in your perspective, your attitude, and your ability and in the way others see you.
You can begin to practice being grateful in all circumstances.
As you finish your list pray joyfully,
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him
with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above
all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for
He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the
LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His
care.”
Psalm 95:1-7
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving
to overflow to the glory of God. therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day…Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures
forever…Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 4:15-16; 1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Remember this – God is FOR you!
How to do this as a weekly Bible study
Day One: Experience
Read the entire devotion. Do any verses stand out to you? If so, write it down and work on memorizing it over the week. I personally love the app “Scripture Typer.”
Day Two: Observe & Read
Chain. Look up and chain verses (For example on how to chain verses, see this video).
Day Three: Interpret
Read through the chain of verses starting with the first one. What do they say? Do you notice when it says “never” or “always” or “If, but, however, therefore, all…..”
Day Four: Application
Do “Your turn” and make a list of people that God has put on your heart when you read this.
Day Five: Testify
Who in your life, right now, can you share this with? There is somebody in your life that needs to hear this. Close your eyes. What name came to mind?
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How to Practice Being Grateful in all Circumstances
