Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

I have days when gratitude comes easily, and others when I have to fight for it through tears and pain. When problems keep piling up, pain feels overwhelming, or I see no solution in sight, my view of God’s goodness gets blurred. Giving thanks to Him can seem impossible and feel like the last thing I want to do.

When Gratitude Feels Hard, Count Your Blessings (Past and Present)

On Thanksgiving Day 2005, I wrote the following in my journal:

Today is Thanksgiving, and I am very grateful and thankful. Most people look at me and wonder how I could possibly be so thankful. All they see are my hardships; they don’t look beyond to see my blessings. Yes, my life is not easy. Do I wish things were different? Of course. But in spite of the difficulties, my life is good. I am surrounded by love, and all my needs are met. Who could ask for anything more? I am not thankful that I am hurt, but I am thankful that my life is complete despite my injury. As the Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18) and, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (1 Chron 16:34). As long as I have God with me, life is blessed and therefore worth being thankful for.

I read those words now and think about all the additional heartaches, hardships, and struggles I’ve faced since writing that journal entry.

Still, I can read those words and say they ring true because, no matter what, God has been with me through all those times and has helped me persevere. He has seen me through each day, and that is a blessing that deserves my gratitude.

So, during difficult times now, when I can’t feel God’s goodness, I need to remind myself of how He has blessed me in the past.

But I also need to focus on present blessings. For instance, even though I’m often in bed, I am at home in my bed rather than in a hospital or nursing facility, and on the days I can get up and sit outside, I get to enjoy the beauty of His creation. Also, despite the challenges of arranging for care, I continue to receive the care I need each day.

Those blessings, and many more, provide plenty of reasons to give thanks. They are glimpses of God’s goodness shining through the cracks of difficulty. They remind me that His presence is still near, working in ways beyond my understanding to bring about His perfect will for my life.

When Gratitude Feels Hard, Look to the Cross

In another of my prayer journal entries about five years ago, I wrote,

Lord God, I have to be honest that sometimes I find it really hard to be thankful. In the midst of pain and disappointments, my heart cries out in frustration. But I am thankful to You for all things. I am so thankful for all that You sacrificed for me and provided for me. Help me to always give You thanks and praise, no matter the circumstances, because You deserve it.

No matter what I am going through, I wholeheartedly agree with the last three words in my entry.

Even during my struggles to thank God in tough times, God still deserves my praise and gratitude because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the Cross. He gave Himself as a ransom for my sins so that by believing in Him, I can have everlasting life. Because of that, I will thank God for the eternal peace and promises that await beyond this life.

Being Thankful Always

So, gratitude, then, isn’t about pretending we’re fine; it’s about remembering that He is faithful.
We may not always feel thankful, but we can choose to be grateful, trusting that God works even when we can’t see how.

On the hardest days, we can practice counting blessings, not because it makes the hardship disappear, but because it helps us remember we are not going through it alone. God is with us, working through us and around us to bless us as He wills. And above all, we can look to the Cross.

When we focus on those truths, peace and thankfulness return, not because our situation changes, but because our perspective shifts.

We’re choosing to see God’s hand in the middle of the mess and to trust that someday, when we stand in His presence, we’ll understand it all and give thanks forever.

Lord, thank You for loving me even when my heart feels weary and my gratitude feels small.
Help me count my blessings, thanking You for what You have done and what You are doing, even if I am not aware of it. And most of all, help me to always thank You for Jesus, who gave His life so I could one day live with You in perfect peace. Amen.

Do you struggle to be thankful to God during difficult times? What are some blessings that you can count to remind you of God’s faithfulness in the past and present?

Friend, I know going through hard times is not easy—that’s why I wrote Persevering By Faith: 10 Devotions to Give You Hope During Hard Times—ten short, hope-filled readings for hard days. Use the sign-up form at the bottom of this page to subscribe, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox, free.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life. And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

Luke 12:25-26 (NLT)

As a preteen girl, I remember worrying about what my hair and outfit looked like when I got ready for school in the mornings.

One morning, I cried out in frustration when my hair wouldn’t cooperate the way I wanted.

Hearing my distress from the hallway, my dad stepped to the open bathroom doorway to see what was wrong. I replied with typical young angst about how my stupid hair would not do right. My dad assured me (or at least tried) that my hair looked good, but I put little trust in his assessment. Then, with compassionate understanding, yet years of wisdom in his eyes, he shared these simple but profound words: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, baby.”

Of course, I couldn’t appreciate the wisdom at that moment. It felt like the most catastrophic crisis imaginable. But that moment and those words have come back to me many times throughout my life, and the truth of his words has resonated.

There have been many times over the years when I faced obstacles and struggles, and I allowed anxiety, fear, and worry to take hold.

I often thought, “Okay, Tiff, what would Daddy say? Don’t sweat the small stuff, baby.”

In the grand scheme of things, considering all that life involves, what I was worrying about—just like that day with the failed hairstyling attempt—was minor. They were small issues that shouldn’t have occupied so much of my time and energy.

Now, there have been other times in my life when I faced life-altering circumstances that made me feel hopeless and worried about how drastically they would affect my life if nothing changed. These were significant matters, not minor problems, and I couldn’t shake the worry that settled within me.

Yet, during most of those times, God came through in miraculous ways that I never expected. He would take care of the situation, or if it didn’t go away, it would at least become manageable in a way I could not fathom.

Just as with worrying over small matters, my worrying about the big issues accomplished nothing. In both cases, God was in control, working out all things and through all things to achieve his perfect will for me.

But don’t we all fall into this trap? We allow our worries, both big and small, to take up residence in our minds, transforming situations into insurmountable obstacles.

Luke 12:25-26 cuts straight to the heart of our tendency to worry. Jesus, with His holy wisdom, points out a fundamental truth about worry—it’s not just unproductive; it’s powerless to change our circumstances.

God is the one and only one with the power to control our circumstances. He may work through us and others to bring about change, but he is the one in control.

In 1 Peter 5:7, he calls us to cast all our anxieties on him—not just the small ones and not just the big ones, but every single concern that weighs on our hearts. This isn’t just a suggestion to stop worrying; it’s an active invitation to transfer our burdens to the only One capable of handling them.

When we decide to trust God with our concerns, something amazing happens! We feel a sense of freedom that helps us embrace the present moment and let go of worries about what tomorrow might bring. Whether it’s a troublesome hair day or a big life change, knowing that God looks after every detail of our lives is comforting.

Jesus explains this truth in Matthew 6:26-30. He reminds us that if God takes such good care of the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, imagine how much more he treasures and will take care of us! This reminds us of our worth in God’s eyes and his unwavering commitment to looking after every part of our lives.

Today, I want to challenge us—and I say us because I still fall into the worry trap easier than I like —to take a practical step toward trust. Instead of allowing worry to consume our mental and emotional energy, let’s redirect that same intensity toward prayer and faith.

When worry creeps in, let’s see it as a reminder to turn our thoughts toward God, transforming our worry into worship, as stated in Philippians 4:6. Only then will we experience a true peace that exceeds our greatest imaginings, as written in Philippians 4:7.

Remember, the God who orchestrates the seasons, maintains the delicate balance of nature, and knows the number of hairs on your head—even when they do not lie as we desire—cares for our well-being. He doesn’t care just about the spiritual aspects of our lives; he cares about everything that affects his children.

Heavenly Father, we recognize our tendency to worry about both big and small things. Forgive us for the times we’ve let worry overshadow our trust in your perfect care. Please, Lord, help us to entrust our concerns to your capable hands and teach us to turn moments of worry into opportunities for prayer. Thank you for your patient love and constant care. Amen.

What specific worry are you holding onto that you need to entrust to God’s loving care? How could your perspective shift if you saw this concern through the lens of his faithfulness?

If today’s post spoke to your heart, I’d love to encourage you even beyond this space. By joining my newsletter below, you’ll receive bimonthly notes of encouragement, insider  updates , plus my free devotional Persevering by Faith: 10 Devotions to Give Hope During Hard Times.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:2–3a (NLT)

Not again.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take.

I don’t know what to do.

These thoughts and others raced through my mind as I lay there once again faced with changing circumstances. I thought things were going relatively well, then wham — another issue to deal with.

You might think that, after all these years of living with a disability (quadriplegic), I would be used to all the changes, challenges, and obstacles. However, dealing with physical difficulties together with arranging care, financial hardships, losing loved ones, and conflicts in relationships has often felt overwhelming.

Let’s face it, life isn’t always easy, whether you have a disability or not. Difficult things happen. You have to deal with tough circumstances that can leave you feeling scared, alone, and hopeless. You cannot see your way through, and you feel overwhelmed by what is happening. Worry and fear take hold, and you desperately seek a way out.

I felt this way once again that day, lying in my bed, facing yet another difficult situation.

Yet, one thing was different this time. God had been showing me that by continuously sinking into worry and fear, giving in to despair, and frantically searching for a way to change my circumstances, I was sinning. I had not been living in full trust of him, trusting him to see me through all my difficulties.

So, that day, I quickly stopped my racing thoughts of despair and turned my thoughts to God. When I did, today’s key verses, which I had studied a few weeks earlier, immediately came to mind.

In this passage, God speaks to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah. He lets them know that their journey back to the Promised Land after captivity would not be easy. He tells them they will go through difficult situations. But, he promises to be with them until the end. He promises he will not let them be destroyed.

God speaks the same thing to each of us today.

In life, there will be many times when the figurative rivers of difficulty and fire of oppression surround you and threaten to consume you. God does not say “if” they come, but “when” they come. Blessedly, he promises he will be there to guide you through the floodwaters and fires of life. If you trust in him and reach out for his guiding hand, he will lead you to the other side, safe and secure. You will have to go through them, but you will not be overcome by them.

Lord, when the rivers of difficulty and fire of oppression surround me, help me remember you are there with me, and all I need to do is to trust in you to see me through. Amen.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Matthew 6:27 (NLT)

Have you ever faced a difficult situation or tragedy and thought—If only I had known this was going to happen? In that moment or in the days and weeks afterward, you might have felt that if you had known what was going to happen, you would have been better prepared to handle it.

I remember my father saying this a few months after he had to have his leg amputated because of diabetes. As someone used to being in control, I believe he felt that if he had known earlier, he would have been better physically, emotionally, and definitely financially prepared to handle life as an amputee. At the time, I remember agreeing that it would have been nice to know in advance and be better prepared.

But I later started to wonder what it would be like to know in advance that something bad was going to happen. Would we actually use that knowledge and take the days before it occurred to prepare ourselves for it?

Actually, in most cases, I believe that if we knew something bad was going to happen, we would spend most of our time worrying ourselves to death about it.

I can only imagine how the days between Jan. 2, 1994, and Aug. 11, 1994, would have felt if God had told me on Jan. 1, 1994, that I was going to have my accident. I might have tried to learn more about quadriplegia, but ultimately, every day would have been filled with growing dread and anxiety.

It is understandable that during difficult times, we wish we had the control that prior knowledge might have provided. It is frightening to face change without knowing what will happen next.

But, instead of futilely wishing we had only known, we can trust in the One who knows.

God is all, sees all, and knows all. Whether rain or shine, in darkness or daylight, over mountains or in valleys, he is beside us, guiding our path and holding our hand so we will never fall. His power is all-encompassing, and if we rest in his arms, we will be safe and secure.

This life may not always be easy, but when resting in his arms, it can be filled with peace and joy. There is no place better than the shelter of his grace.

Lord, when we can’t understand why some things are happening in our lives, help us hold on to the knowledge that you love us and want your best for us. Help us to trust in your infinite wisdom and find peace in knowing that whatever is going on is part of your divine plan for our lives. Amen.

One of my favorite hymns is “In the Garden”. Whenever I hear the chorus, which says, “He walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own,” I feel such comfort and peace.

But, sometimes during our trials and tribulations, it is hard to believe that God is with us and we are his own. During such times, it is not always easy to feel God’s presence or hear his voice.

Yet, He is always there, walking with us and helping us bear our loads. He is always talking to us, giving us comfort to soothe our souls and guidance to find our way.

The problem is that we are not always in the right mindset to look for him beside us and hear his voice whispering. Our burdens become so heavy that we lose focus on The Great I Am.

But, no matter how hard it gets, we must keep looking and listening because he will keep walking and talking, and it is only with his help and guidance that we will make the hard journey to life’s glorious end.

If you are experiencing a difficult time and struggle to feel God’s presence, read the following scriptures and keep them close to your heart. Each one demonstrates that, regardless of circumstances, God remains by our side, guiding and protecting us.

Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;

 Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

 If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

 And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

 And Your right hand shall hold me.”  Psalm: 139:7–10 (NKJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?⁶As it is written:

 “For Your sake we are killed all day long;

   We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35 -39 (NKJV)