Gratitude is to be a part of every season of life. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that we are to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” That’s often easier said than done when seasons of loss, disappointment, or uncertainty come. But it is God’s will, and He has given us what we need to face even the hardest seasons with gratitude.
There is one person in scripture who gives us a good starting point for learning to praise God no matter the circumstances — Job. He faced devastating loss and yet chose to bless the name of the Lord. His response of praise teaches us how we, too, can face our own challenging circumstances in the same way. It’s a powerful lesson we need to apply in our lives and teach our girls as well.
We find the opening lines of Job’s story recounting the blessings the Lord had given him. Then, in scene one (Job 1:1–19), God begins a conversation with Satan. The Lord speaks highly of Job, but Satan challenges Him, believing that Job’s faithfulness is merely a result of God’s blessings. God, knowing Job’s true character, allows Satan to test him without causing him physical harm.
“Satan went on to take everything Job had except his wife and four of his servants. Job did not have time to process what one servant told him before another came in with even more bad news. When the dust finally settled and Job realized what he had lost, he responded in a way most would not expect.” In Her Shoes: Walking in Virtue
Job 1:20–22 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.
Job was able to respond with praise because he had a strong foundation of faith. His response is rooted in faith, not in circumstances. It allowed him to worship the Lord even as he fell to the ground in grief. He trusted God, not the situation. It was his faith that strengthened him to resist the temptation to sin or accuse God of wrongdoing.
With this strong foundation of faith, Job also understood that to praise God, he had to acknowledge God’s role and accept His will in his life. God had brought him into the world with nothing, and he would return to Him with nothing. Everything Job had—his wealth, his family, his blessings—had been God’s doing. And Job trusted that even in loss, God had a purpose. He chose to accept it and bless the name of the Lord.
Job’s entire response was a choice. In the midst of trials, he chose to worship. He refused to sin by becoming angry or blaming God. He mourned his loss but acknowledged that the Lord gives and takes away.
Praising the Lord and blessing His name is one way that we show gratitude to God in all seasons. Job’s example teaches us what we need to remember if we are going to “give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Gratitude is rooted in faith, not circumstances
Gratitude is acknowledging God’s role and accepting His will in every season.
Gratitude is a choice.
Choose gratitude today. Set the example for your girls. Teach them to choose it too.
Want to cultivate gratitude and help your girls do the same? Follow along with the 30-Day Gratitude Challenge in the @kristamichelleministries Instagram story highlights and make it a part of your conversations.
Check out Krista’s Bible Study on Ruth. In Her Shoes: Walking In Virtue Now Available on Amazon.
