Gratitude and Faith: Trusting God Through Every Season

Devotional

Day 1: Give Thanks in Every Circumstance

Gratitude is not about pretending that hardships are good, but about trusting that God is working in every situation for our ultimate good. Even when life brings pain, loss, or disappointment, we can give thanks because we know God is present and faithful, weaving all things together for those who love Him. In Christ, we are assured that nothing is wasted and that God’s will for us is to live with a thankful heart, confident in His care and sovereignty. [07:44]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Think of a recent difficulty or disappointment—how might you thank God in the midst of it, trusting that He is at work even if you can’t see how?

Day 2: Faith Grows as We Remember God’s Faithfulness

Looking back on God’s past faithfulness fuels our faith for today and tomorrow. When we intentionally recall the ways God has provided, rescued, or guided us—especially through the gift of Jesus—we are filled with gratitude and renewed trust. Whether your story is dramatic or quiet, remembering what God has done anchors your heart in joy and strengthens your faith to face whatever comes next. [10:05]

Psalm 126:3 (ESV)
"The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad."

Reflection: Take a few minutes to write down three specific ways God has been faithful to you in the past—how does remembering these moments encourage your faith today?

Day 3: Gratitude in the Midst of Struggle

Gratitude is a powerful companion during trials, helping us to trust God’s purpose even when life is hard. Jesus Himself promised that we would face trouble in this world, but He also assured us of His victory and presence. Like a pearl formed through irritation, our struggles can produce endurance, character, and even joy as we lean into God’s faithfulness and thank Him for what He is shaping in us. [13:41]

John 16:33 (ESV)
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Reflection: What is one current struggle where you can choose to thank God—not for the pain itself, but for what He is producing in you through it?

Day 4: Trusting God to Work All Things for Good

Our faith is strengthened when we trust that God is able to bring good out of every circumstance, even those we do not understand. While God does not call evil or suffering “good,” He promises to redeem and use every part of our story for His purposes. This assurance allows us to face the future with hope, knowing that nothing is beyond God’s ability to transform for our benefit and His glory. [19:24]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Reflection: Is there a painful or confusing part of your story you need to entrust to God’s hands today, believing He can work it for good? What would it look like to release it to Him?

Day 5: Hope Anchored in the Gospel

The ultimate reason for our gratitude and faith is the unshakeable hope we have in the gospel: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have secured our victory and nothing can separate us from God’s love. Our hope is not in things that can be lost, but in the eternal life and love given to us in Christ. This hope gives us confidence to face every day with gratitude, knowing that God’s promises are sure and His love is forever. [22:31]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been tempted to place your hope in something other than Jesus? How can you shift your focus today to rest in the unbreakable love of God?

Sermon Summary

Gratitude and faith are inseparable companions in the life of a follower of Jesus. When we cultivate gratitude, our faith is strengthened, and we are able to see life from God’s perspective, even in the midst of challenges. The world often divides people into optimists and pessimists, but as believers, we are called to a deeper reality: to be people who give thanks in all circumstances, not because every circumstance is good, but because God is always good and always at work for our good.

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 remind us to give thanks in everything, not for everything. This is possible because of the assurance that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him. Gratitude is not a denial of pain or difficulty, but a declaration of trust in God’s faithfulness. When we look back and remember what God has done in our lives—especially the gift of Jesus—we find fuel for our faith. Whether our stories are dramatic or quiet, the greatest miracle is that we belong to Christ and have been given eternal life.

In the present, gratitude helps us endure trials. Like the formation of a pearl through irritation, our struggles can produce something beautiful when we trust God. Jesus was honest about the reality of suffering, but He also promised His presence and ultimate victory. The apostles rejoiced even in suffering, knowing it was shaping them for God’s purposes.

Looking to the future, gratitude anchors our hope. Romans 8:28 assures us that God is weaving all things—even the painful and confusing—into His good plan. This doesn’t mean God calls evil good, but that He is able to redeem and transform every situation. Our hope is not in circumstances, people, or possessions, but in the unshakable love of God revealed in Christ. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Finally, the gospel is the foundation of our gratitude and faith. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have secured our victory over sin, death, and evil. Our hope is eternal, and our lives are built on the confidence that God is faithful to all His promises. Even in the fires of life, Jesus is with us, and His presence is enough.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude strengthens faith by remembering God’s past faithfulness Recalling what God has done—especially the gift of Jesus—reminds us that He has always been faithful. This remembrance fuels our trust for today and tomorrow. Even if our stories seem ordinary, the miracle of salvation is more than enough to inspire gratitude and faith. [09:47]
2. Gratitude sustains us through present struggles Trials are not meant to destroy us but to shape us. Like a pearl formed through irritation, our difficulties can produce endurance and beauty in our lives. Gratitude in the midst of hardship is not denial, but a declaration that God is with us and working for our good. [13:26]
3. Gratitude anchors our hope for the future We may not understand every trial, but we can trust that God is weaving all things together for good. Our hope is not in what can be lost, but in the eternal life and love we have in Christ. This perspective frees us from fear and anchors us in God’s promises. [19:12]
4. The gospel is the foundation of gratitude and faith Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and evil is the ultimate reason for gratitude. Our faith is rooted in what He has accomplished, not in our own efforts. Nothing can separate us from His love, and this truth gives us unshakable hope and confidence. [21:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Optimists, Pessimists, and Perspective
[01:22] - The Duck Dog Story
[02:40] - Is the Glass Half Full or Empty?
[04:21] - Introducing the Gratitude Series
[05:24] - Resources for Growing in Gratitude
[06:08] - Gratitude and Faith: Great Teammates
[07:03] - Give Thanks in Everything
[08:07] - Faith: Assurance of Things Hoped For
[09:03] - Gratitude and Recounting God’s Faithfulness
[12:23] - Gratitude in Present Struggles
[13:26] - Jesus and the Joy Set Before Him
[16:38] - Peter’s Journey: From Denial to Boldness
[19:12] - Gratitude and Trusting God for the Future
[21:10] - The Gospel: Our Foundation of Hope
[23:57] - Responding in Gratitude and Worship
[25:32] - Another in the Fire: God’s Presence in Trials
[33:57] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) — > "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

2. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
> "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

3. John 16:33 (ESV)
> "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Observation Questions

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus regarding gratitude?
In Romans 8:28, what does Paul say God is doing with “all things” in the lives of those who love Him?
In John 16:33, what two realities does Jesus promise His followers will experience, and what is His encouragement to them?
The sermon said, “Gratitude is not a denial of pain or difficulty, but a declaration of trust in God’s faithfulness.” What examples did the pastor give to show this? [07:44]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul tells us to give thanks “in” all circumstances, rather than “for” all circumstances? How does this shape our understanding of gratitude? [07:03]
The sermon compared our struggles to the formation of a pearl. What does this analogy teach us about the purpose of trials in the Christian life? [13:07]
How does remembering what God has done in the past—especially the gift of Jesus—help strengthen our faith in the present? [09:47]
According to the sermon, what is the difference between optimism/pessimism and the biblical perspective on gratitude? [06:08]

Application Questions

The pastor shared his own story of coming to faith and encouraged us to remember what God has done for us. What is one specific way God has shown His faithfulness in your life? How can you remind yourself of this regularly? [10:45]
When you face a difficult situation, what is your natural response—worry, frustration, or gratitude? What would it look like to practice gratitude in the middle of a current struggle? [12:45]
The sermon said, “Gratitude in the midst of hardship is not denial, but a declaration that God is with us and working for our good.” Is there a hardship you’re facing now where you need to declare trust in God? What would that look like for you? [13:26]
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” How does knowing Jesus is with you in the “fire” change the way you approach your challenges? [25:32]
The sermon mentioned that our hope is not in circumstances, people, or possessions, but in the unshakable love of God. Are there things you tend to put your hope in that can be lost? How can you shift your hope to Christ this week? [22:59]
The analogy of the pearl shows that something beautiful can come from irritation and struggle. Can you think of a time when a difficult season produced something good in your life? How did gratitude play a role? [13:07]
The gospel is described as the foundation of our gratitude and faith. How does reflecting on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection help you face today’s challenges with hope and thankfulness? [21:10]

Sermon Clips

Gratitude creates faith as we recount the past. All over the Psalms and many other books in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, they would recount the faithfulness of God. Hundreds and hundreds of years ago, the deliverance of the children of Israel out of slavery, out of Egypt, and how God delivered them. And they would give thanks. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever. And they would just recount the faithfulness of God. And their faith would grow. Reminding yourself of what God has done for you in the past will help you through difficult circumstances. [00:09:03] (41 seconds) #FaithThroughGratitude

What are the great things God has done for you? Think about it. What are the great things God has done for you? I can tell you the greatest thing he's done for you was to give his son for you. If that's the only thing the Lord did, it's enough. He gave us the promise of eternal life because of the life, death, and resurrection. Resurrection of Jesus. The Lord has done great things. [00:09:56] (29 seconds) #GreatestGiftJesus

Part of the reason we struggle with trials is we want this to be heaven. But this isn't heaven. That's why Jesus was very honest. He said, listen. You're going to have difficulties. But you can take courage. I've overcome. The best is yet to come. [00:13:57] (18 seconds) #OnlyJesusSaves

Some of you feel like walking away from the faith sometimes. Because life threw you a curve ball. Where are you going to go? Who else holds the words to eternal life? And I say that from the bottom of my heart. No one does. Only Jesus. Only Jesus. Who's truthful with us. In this life you'll struggle. But take courage. I've overcome the world. [00:17:37] (22 seconds) #JoyInTrials

The sovereignty of God being in control of the universe. From eternity past to eternity future. Doesn't mean that God causes the bad things to happen. He works them for good. He works them for good. [00:20:49] (16 seconds) #VictoryInTheGospel

Hope is the confident expectation of God's faithfulness. It's the expectation that God will be faithful to all that he's promised. And our hope cannot be in anything that can be taken away from us. It can't be in a person. It can't be in. Money or possessions. All those things can be lost. What can't be lost is eternal life. Jesus gave us eternal life. That is our hope. That's what we're building our lives on. [00:22:50] (31 seconds) #GodWithYouInFire

So they threw Daniel and his friends in the fire. There were three men thrown into this fiery furnace. And as they crank up the heat, they look and these men are not dying. They're not being burned up. God's doing a miracle in their midst. And the king says, didn't we put three men in the fire? I see a fourth. There's another in the fire with them and they're not burning up. And it was the Lord Jesus, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus in that fire with them so that they would not be destroyed. And I'm here to tell you this morning, Jesus is with you in your fire. He is with you in your trial. And he is not going, he will be faithful to all that he's promised. And he is enough to get you through that. [00:26:19] (59 seconds) #FollowingJesusWithGratitude

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