I’m sitting at my kitchen table right now thinking about my life. The Lord has been teaching me to have a thankful heart in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 has been the Scripture I’ve been chewing on a lot over the last few weeks.
“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
While I chew on thankfulness I realize I can’t, at the same time, dwell on what makes me anxious. It’s physically impossible to think about all the things I’m thankful for, that God has blessed me with, and at the same time focus on all the things that make me worry, fearful, and anxiety-driven. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (NKJV). It’s amazing to me this verse follows verses 6 and 7 as if saying instead of focusing on being anxious focus on all these good things.
So that’s what I’m doing at my kitchen table right now.
I’m focusing on all the good things mentioned in Philippians 4:8. I’m focusing on the blessings God has given me, such as my wife, my boys, my church family, a roof over our heads, the air in my lungs, and more importantly, my salvation.
Yesterday, I was home with my wife and four boys because of Hurricane Helene. Thankfully, we weren’t in the direct path and only experienced tropical storm conditions—thankfully, even that was milder than expected. Truthfully, the sun shone through the oak tree in our backyard, casting a warm glow over our day even as the occasional gusts and rain swept through. I felt a deep sense of gratitude, thankful that the conditions were nowhere near as severe as they could have been if the storm had struck us directly.
But as I reflected on our fortune, my heart ached for those who were, and still are, grappling with the storm’s full force. It’s a sobering reminder of the fragility of our circumstances.
God taught me a valuable lesson in that moment.
Sometimes, the very things we’re grateful for—like narrowly escaping a storm—are the challenges others are bravely enduring.
It’s easy to celebrate our own safety while others face uncertainty and loss. This awareness deepens my appreciation for what we have, while also igniting a desire to extend compassion and support to those in need. I’m praying for those who were not as fortunate as we were. I know this storm was devastating and has uprooted a lot of people. Gratitude isn’t just about recognizing our blessings; it’s also about sharing our hearts with those who are struggling, fostering a connection that reminds us we are all in this together.
Our church has often sent teams of people to areas that have been impacted by these storms and I’m sure we will probably do that again. We do this because we care and know those people impacted need help and need others to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I’m thankful for those who are Jesus’ ambassadors on earth and while sitting at my kitchen table today I can’t help but be thankful that God’s church is always willing to be His helping hands.
Gratitude is a beautiful thing. To be thankful in every situation as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to do is not easy, but it is necessary. As I reflect on being thankful, it helps me connect with the Lord. The posture of my heart shifts so that I can hear and receive more from the Lord. That’s why He has me at my kitchen table today—to write about thankfulness and to remind me of what I can be thankful for today. The truth is we all have so much to be thankful for—even in those circumstances that are very hard.
So, what are you thankful for today?
Interested in advertising or sponsoring Faithful Words? I’d love to connect with you!
P.S. There may be sales or affiliate links in this post. So, I might get a little kickback if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!
Today, I want to highlight Substack writer:
→ Check out his Substack: A Broad Place
I'm thankful that God brought my husband and I through a recent flu bug (and some other challenges that arose at the same time) that led me to spend a day in the ER. We were both really sick, and it has taken over a week to start regaining our strength. I could feel frustrated by the loss of time (and I also am praying for all affected by this major storm front that has impacted many lives in your part of the country), and it's easy to allow circumstances to drag us down. But I give thanks that God carries us through the adversity. I am thankful that in our weakness, whether that's physical, spiritual or emotional, God's power is perfected. We recognize our need of Him when we struggle. This was encouraging, Aaron. I agree--gratitude is very key and God's Word reminds us to give thanks, even in tough times. We connect with His heart when we do, and gain His perspective. Our perspective is limited, but He sees the bigger, eternal picture. We can trust His loving purposes and relax in His Presence, even in the midst of trials.
Thanks, too, Aaron, for the shout out for my Substack!