Gratitude in All Circumstances: Choosing Thankfulness Always

Today we gathered as a church family to celebrate Operation Christmas Child Sunday, lifting up the hundreds of boxes that will soon be sent out as seeds of hope and love to children around the world. We paused to give thanks for the generosity and hard work of so many—kids, teens, and adults—who packed boxes, prayed over them, and gave sacrificially. We also celebrated new life in our community, prayed for those who are sick or recovering, and looked forward to sharing a Thanksgiving meal together, each bringing a piece of our own story to the table.

But at the heart of our time together was a call to live out true gratitude—not just in the easy moments, but in every circumstance. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we were reminded that God’s will for us is to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Gratitude is not a reaction to our circumstances, but a revelation of who God is and who we are anchored in. The world tells us to be thankful when things go well, but the way of Jesus is to give thanks even when the fridge is empty, the bills are high, or the pain is real.

We looked at the example of Habakkuk, who chose to rejoice in God even when everything around him was falling apart. We saw how David, in the midst of running for his life, still declared praise would always be on his lips. These stories remind us that gratitude is a choice, not a condition. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect, but about trusting God in the middle of the storm. When we choose gratitude in hardship, our faith is strengthened, and we become living testimonies to those around us.

Gratitude in the storm doesn’t mean we understand everything or that the pain disappears. It means we trust the Captain of our lives, even when the waves are high. And as we grow through our own storms, God equips us to help others through theirs. The hardships we endure can become the very tools God uses to bless others, to encourage, and to lead others to Jesus.

So as we move into this season of Thanksgiving, let’s be a people who are thankful in all circumstances—who worship, who encourage, who serve, and who trust that God is working through it all. May our gratitude shine, not just in the good times, but especially in the hard ones, pointing others to the unchanging goodness of our God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude is a choice, not a condition Gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances, but on our decision to trust God in every moment. When life is hard, we are tempted to withhold thanks, but choosing gratitude in the midst of pain draws us closer to God and grows our faith. It’s not about denying hardship, but about recognizing God’s presence within it. [56:50]
• 2. Gratitude reveals who God is, not just what He does Thankfulness is not just a reaction to blessings, but a revelation of God’s unchanging character. When we give thanks in all things, we declare our trust in God’s goodness, even when we don’t understand our situation. This kind of gratitude is rooted in who God is, not just what He gives. [65:22]
• 3. Gratitude strengthens faith in the storm When we choose to thank God in the midst of trials, our faith is refined and deepened. The storms of life become opportunities to rely on God more fully, and to experience His faithfulness firsthand. Gratitude in hardship is not about understanding the storm, but about trusting the One who leads us through it. [67:58]
• 4. Gratitude becomes a testimony to others A thankful heart under pressure shines as a living witness to those around us. When we remain grateful in adversity, our lives point others to the hope and strength found in Christ. Our hardships, when met with gratitude, can become the very means by which we encourage and lead others to Jesus. [71:55]
• 5. Hardships equip us to bless others The difficulties we endure often become the tools God uses for us to help others. As we learn and grow through our own storms, we gain wisdom and compassion to support those facing similar challenges. Gratitude allows us to see God’s hand in our story and to use our experiences for the good of others. [74:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Operation Christmas Child Announcements
• [03:10] - Upcoming Events and Thanksgiving Meal
• [06:30] - Celebrating New Life: Martinez Family
• [09:00] - Prayer Requests and Church Family Updates
• [12:00] - Opening Prayer and Worship
• [18:49] - OCC Box Presentation and Prayer
• [35:59] - OCC Box Count and Collection Details
• [41:18] - Praying for OCC Recipients and Global Needs
• [43:56] - Prayers for Healing, Provision, and Missionaries
• [52:05] - Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5
• [54:27] - Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks Always
• [56:50] - Gratitude as a Choice in Hardship
• [62:38] - Habakkuk’s Example of Thankfulness
• [65:22] - Gratitude as Revelation, Not Reaction
• [67:58] - Gratitude Strengthens Faith in Storms
• [71:55] - Gratitude as Testimony to the World
• [74:12] - Using Hardships to Bless Others
• [76:42] - Encouragement to Practice Daily Gratitude
• [78:59] - Closing Prayer: Thankful in All Circumstances
• [85:51] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) — > Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV) — > Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Psalm 34:1 (ESV) — > I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, what three things does Paul say are God’s will for us in Christ Jesus?
2. In Habakkuk 3:17-18, what is the prophet’s response when everything around him is going wrong?
3. The sermon mentioned David’s situation when he wrote Psalm 34:1. What was happening in David’s life at that time? [01:05:22]
4. What are some examples from the sermon of people choosing gratitude even when life was hard? [56:50]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul commands us to give thanks “in all circumstances” instead of just when things are going well? What does this reveal about the nature of Christian gratitude? [54:27]
2. How does Habakkuk’s choice to rejoice in God, even when everything is falling apart, challenge our usual way of thinking about thankfulness? [01:02:38]
3. The sermon said, “Gratitude is not a reaction to our circumstances, but a revelation of who God is and who we are anchored in.” What does it mean for gratitude to be rooted in God’s character rather than our situation? [01:05:22]
4. How can gratitude in the middle of hardship become a testimony to others about our faith? [01:11:55]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about giving thanks even when the “fridge is empty, the bills are high, or the pain is real.” Is there a hard situation in your life right now where you find it difficult to be thankful? What would it look like to choose gratitude in that specific area? [54:27]
2. Think about a time when you went through a tough season. Looking back, can you see any ways God used that hardship to help you grow or to bless someone else? How might you encourage someone going through something similar now? [01:14:12]
3. The pastor shared a story about his mom’s knee surgery and the challenge to “embrace the pain” and grow through it. Is there a current struggle where you need to shift your mindset from just enduring to actually trusting God in the process? [56:50]
4. The sermon said, “Gratitude doesn’t mean we understand everything or that the pain disappears. It means we trust the Captain of our lives, even when the waves are high.” What does trusting God look like for you when you don’t have answers? [01:07:58]
5. When have you seen someone’s gratitude in hardship impact your own faith or the faith of others? How can your response to challenges point people to Jesus this week? [01:11:55]
6. The pastor encouraged us to take time each morning to thank God for both the good and the hard things. What is one practical way you can build a habit of daily gratitude, even on tough days? [01:16:42]
7. The sermon mentioned that hardships can equip us to bless others. Is there a skill, lesson, or experience from your past that you can use to help someone else right now? [01:14:12]