Have you ever had a horrible, no good, bad day? You know the kind of day when you wake up, you know you should just stay in bed, but your schedule reminds you that it is not an option. As you go through your to-do list, you forgot to buy what your child needed for their school project today, and you are already running late. On the way to the store, you get a flat tire, so not only are your children late for school, but you are late for work as well. At the store, you run into a sweet woman who asks you how you are, and you share that it’s been a terrible day. Her response is, “Count your blessings.” And you have to bite your tongue—that kind of day.  

Paul reminds us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of Christ Jesus for you.”

Paul definitely experienced difficult circumstances; he was beaten, stoned, and imprisoned for sharing the gospel. He experienced all of this, yet he could still rejoice and give thanks. Thankfulness is a perspective we have the honor of choosing despite our current circumstances. We can’t always do this without help. Paul also tells us how we can get that help, through praying without ceasing. Whether we are driving, doing housework, or having quiet time with the Lord, we can pray anytime and anywhere. God will help us change our attitude as we submit our situations to Him. He uses all the trials we go through for His good and purpose when we do.

Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food in your cabinets? There is always something to be thankful for; we need to stop and see how blessed we truly are.

What are you thankful for today? How do you need to change your perspective?