Charles Stanley - Thanksgiving In The Midst Of Adversity

Thanksgiving is a practice that we cannot afford to discard when the going gets tough. With gratitude comes a whole host of benefits—greater awareness of His presence, increased trust, joy, decreased anxiety—that energize us when we feel beaten down. Combatting adversity is draining. Refuel with thanksgiving.

Gratitude comes easily when everything is going our way, but 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks.” This includes both good and hard times. But when we don’t understand why God allows us to go through suffering and trials, we may let our situation extinguish a grateful spirit. Instead of rejoicing and praising God for who He is and what He’s done for us, we focus on our pain and confusion and begin to doubt the Lord and His Word. However, when we choose to be thankful in every situation, despite our feelings, we’ll reap many benefits.