One of the quickest ways to lose your joy is to spend your life fretting over what is wrong instead of giving thanks for what is right. We have a natural tendency to focus on what we don’t have, what didn’t happen, what somebody did to us, or what isn’t going our way. From the beginning, humanity has struggled with this. In Genesis 3, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Sin introduced a pattern of excusing and accusing  ourselves while finding someone else to blame.

We still do it today. “If I had a different spouse, I’d be happy. If I had more money, I’d be happy. If my circumstances would change, then I’d be happy.

That’s what I call the “when and then” way of thinking: “When this happens, then I’ll be happy”.

But Paul gives us a different way to live by. “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Notice that Paul does not say, “Give thanks for all circumstances.” He says, “in all circumstances.” There is a difference. We don’t have to call everything that happens “good” to recognize that God is still good. We don’t have to be thankful for suffering, disappointment, loss, or difficulty. But we can learn to be thankful while we are going through them. At the end of the day, our circumstances do not determine God’s character.

I. Gratitude Changes Your Perspective

Paul says, “Give thanks…” Thanksgiving begins with recognizing what God has already done.

The circumstances may be real, but they are not the whole story. You may have problems, but you also have God’s presence. You may have unanswered questions, but you still have God’s promises. Sometimes the greatest change God wants to make isn’t a change around you but a change within you.

II. Gratitude Reveals God’s Will

Paul says thanksgiving is “God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We often ask, “God, what is Your will for my life? Where am I supposed to go, what am I supposed to do, who am I supposed to marry, what job am I supposed to take, and what decision should I make”.

But here Paul gives us something unmistakably clear: God’s will encompasses a grateful heart. Before you know God’s next assignment, you should obey God’s present instruction. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can give thanks today. You may not understand what God is doing, but you can trust who God is.

And notice the phrase “in Christ Jesus.” Our gratitude is anchored in the One who has already given us everything we need for salvation.

What do you have to be thankful for? It all should start here….. God is with you. When you’re walking through difficulty, God is with you.

When you don’t understand, God is with you. When you’re waiting, God is with you. When you’re celebrating, God is with you. When you’re hurting, God is with you. Your circumstances may change, but God’s presence doesn’t. Your situation may shift, but God’s character doesn’t. Your feelings may fluctuate, but God’s faithfulness doesn’t. That’s why gratitude is more than just saying, “Thank You, Lord,” when everything is going well. Gratitude is trusting God when everything isn’t going well.