Giving Thanks in All Things: A Grateful Heart

Today, we gathered to celebrate the goodness of God and to be reminded of the power of gratitude in every season of our lives. We began by lifting our voices and hands in praise, declaring that God is worthy of all honor, no matter what we are facing. Our worship is not just a response to what God has done, but a declaration of who He is—our King, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Healer. We acknowledged that God is able to meet every need and exceed every expectation, and that He is working something great within each of us, even when we cannot see it.

We focused on the truth found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In every situation, no matter the circumstances, be thankful and continually give thanks to God. For this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” This call to gratitude is not a suggestion, but God’s will for every believer. Gratitude is foundational to our faith—it aligns our hearts with God’s purpose and keeps our focus on His goodness rather than our grievances. We cannot be grateful and grumpy at the same time; when we choose gratitude, we are choosing to trust God even when we don’t understand.

Thanksgiving is an act of obedience. It is not just an emotion, but a decision of faith. We are called to give thanks not just after the breakthrough, but before it, praising God in advance for what He will do. True faith is being able to thank God while we are still waiting for the sea to part, believing that His promises will come to pass.

Importantly, we are not called to thank God for every painful or difficult circumstance, but to thank Him in the midst of them. God does not expect us to be grateful for tragedy, but He does call us to remain grateful in the midst of hardship, trusting that He is still good and still working. Even when life is bitter, God adds sweetness to our trials, transforming our pain into testimony. Our gratitude in the storm becomes a witness to others of God’s sustaining power.

We closed with the reminder that gratitude transforms trials into testimonies. The very things meant to break us become the things that build us. When we give thanks in all things, we invite God’s power to move on our behalf, and we declare that nothing can stop His goodness or separate us from His love. No matter what season you are in, make up your mind to bless the Lord at all times, trusting that everything is going to be all right.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude is God’s will for every believer Gratitude is not optional or circumstantial; it is foundational to our walk with God. When we give thanks, we align our hearts with His purpose and keep our focus on His goodness, not our grievances. This posture of thankfulness is a daily act of trust, even when we don’t understand what God is doing. [21:29]
• 2. Thanksgiving is an act of obedience Giving thanks is not just a feeling, but a command and a decision of faith. We are called to praise God before the breakthrough, trusting Him in advance. This kind of obedience demonstrates mature faith, believing that God’s promises will come to pass even when we cannot see the way forward. [24:01]
• 3. Thank God in everything, not for everything God does not expect us to be thankful for pain or loss, but to remain grateful in the midst of hardship. Even when circumstances are bitter, God is still good and still working. Our gratitude in the storm is a declaration of trust and a source of peace that surpasses understanding. [26:28]
• 4. Gratitude transforms trials into testimony When we choose gratitude in the midst of trials, our perspective changes. The very things meant to break us become the foundation of our testimony. God uses our struggles to write a story of His faithfulness, turning ashes into beauty and sorrow into songs of praise. [29:32]
• 5. God adds sweetness to our bitterness Just as adding something sweet can make a bitter drink palatable, God adds His presence and grace to our difficult circumstances. When we mix thanksgiving with our trials, it becomes easier to endure, and we experience the sweetness of God’s sustaining love. [35:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:25] - Opening Praise and Worship
• [04:05] - Prayer and Encouragement
• [06:36] - Worship: Blessing the Lord
• [10:19] - Declaration of God’s Worthiness
• [15:47] - Introduction to Grateful Hearts Series
• [18:18] - Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• [20:16] - Give Thanks in All Things
• [21:29] - Gratitude is God’s Will
• [24:01] - Thanksgiving as Obedience
• [26:28] - Thank God in Everything, Not For Everything
• [29:32] - Gratitude Transforms Trials into Testimony
• [33:53] - Illustration: Sweetness in Bitterness
• [36:20] - Story of Sarah’s Gratitude
• [40:14] - Proclamation of Victory and Closing Prayer
• [45:48] - Practical Steps to Thankfulness
• [49:36] - Final Blessing and Invitation

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what is God’s will for us when it comes to giving thanks? How does the verse phrase this command? [18:57]
2. In the sermon, what is the difference between giving thanks “in” all things versus giving thanks “for” all things? [26:28]
3. What example did the pastor use from the Bible to show the power of praising God before the breakthrough? [24:37]
4. How did the story of Sarah illustrate the idea of gratitude in the midst of hardship? [36:20]

1. Why do you think Paul says to give thanks “in” every situation, not “for” every situation? What does this reveal about God’s character and our relationship with Him? [26:28]
2. The sermon says, “Gratitude is not just an emotion, but a decision of faith.” What does it mean for gratitude to be an act of obedience, even when we don’t feel thankful? [24:01]
3. How does choosing gratitude in hard times change our perspective or attitude, according to the sermon? [29:32]
4. The pastor mentioned that gratitude can turn our trials into testimonies. What does this mean, and why is it important for our faith and for others who are watching us? [29:32]

1. The sermon said, “You can’t be grateful and grumpy at the same time.” Think about a recent situation where you were tempted to complain. What would it look like to choose gratitude instead? [22:07]
2. Is there a current challenge or “bitter” situation in your life where it’s hard to be thankful? What is one specific way you can practice gratitude in the middle of it this week? [35:05]
3. The pastor shared that true faith is being able to thank God before the breakthrough comes. Is there an area in your life where you need to start praising God in advance? What would that look like for you? [24:37]
4. When you look back over your life, can you identify a time when God turned a trial into a testimony? How did gratitude play a part in that process? [29:32]
5. The story of Sarah showed that we don’t have to thank God for tragedy, but we can thank Him in it. How can you encourage someone else who is going through a hard time to find something to be thankful for? [36:20]
6. The sermon used the illustration of adding sweetness to bitterness. What “sweetness” (God’s presence, promises, or people) has God added to your life during tough times? How can you recognize and thank Him for it? [35:05]
7. The pastor said, “If you still got breath in your body, God still has an opportunity to turn your situation around.” How does this truth give you hope for your current season? What step of faith can you take this week to trust God’s timing? [46:24]