Thanks in the Trenches

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Giving Thanks in the Trenches

Even when life feels overwhelming and we are surrounded by suffering or hardship, we are called to give thanks to God, recognizing His goodness and wondrous works in every season. Gratitude is not reserved for times of ease, but is a deliberate act of faith in the midst of difficulty, acknowledging that God is present and worthy of praise even in the hardest moments. When we choose to thank God in the trenches, we declare that our circumstances do not define His faithfulness, and we open our hearts to see His hand at work in ways we might otherwise miss. [27:23]

Psalm 107:8 (ESV)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Reflection: What is one specific hardship you are facing right now, and how can you intentionally thank God for His goodness in the midst of it today?

Day 2: Trusting God to Deliver Us from the Pit

God does not always keep us from entering difficult situations, but He promises to be with us and to deliver us, setting our feet on solid ground. Like David, we may find ourselves in the “miry clay” or walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but we can trust that God hears our cries and will lift us up in His perfect timing. Our hope is not in avoiding trouble, but in the assurance that God is our rescuer and sustainer, establishing our steps even when the way is hard. [31:31]

Psalm 40:1-2 (ESV)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Reflection: When have you experienced God lifting you out of a difficult place? How can remembering His past faithfulness help you trust Him with your current struggles?

Day 3: Acceptance and Trust in God’s Sovereign Will

True gratitude in suffering comes from an attitude of acceptance—trusting that God’s plan is good, even when it leads us through circumstances we would not choose for ourselves. Like the people of Judah, we may be tempted to escape hardship, but God sometimes calls us to remain and trust Him in the midst of it, believing that He is working for our good and His glory. Acceptance is not passive resignation, but an active faith that God is present and purposeful in every season, and that He will sustain us through whatever we face. [42:14]

Jeremiah 42:10-12 (ESV)
“If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land.”

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are tempted to run or escape? What would it look like to accept God’s will and trust Him to work in and through your current circumstances?

Day 4: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Suffering

Suffering is not meaningless; God uses our trials to produce perseverance, character, and hope, and to reveal treasures within us that would otherwise remain hidden. When we understand our “why”—the purpose God has for us—we can endure hardship with gratitude, knowing that He is shaping us into the people He has called us to be. Even when we do not understand the reason for our pain, we can trust that God is using it to strengthen our faith and to bring about something greater than we can see. [48:23]

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflection: What is your “why” for following Jesus, and how does remembering your purpose help you endure and find meaning in your current challenges?

Day 5: The Treasure of Gratitude and Perseverance

There are treasures that can only be discovered in the trenches—strength, perseverance, and a deeper trust in God that are forged through adversity. When we choose gratitude in the midst of suffering, we not only honor God but also become a source of hope and encouragement to others. Each day is a gift, and even our most difficult days can be used by God to reveal His goodness and to shape us into people who reflect His love and faithfulness. [55:29]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: How can you use your current or past struggles to encourage someone else today, showing them the treasure that God has brought out of your trenches?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 107:8 calls us to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works. But what does it mean to give thanks when life feels like a battlefield? Today, we reflected on the reality of living “in the trenches”—those seasons of suffering, hardship, and uncertainty that every believer faces. Drawing from the story behind the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God,” we saw how gratitude is not reserved for times of ease, but is most powerful when expressed in the midst of adversity. Pastor Rinkhart, who wrote that hymn during the horrors of war and plague, modeled a faith that gives thanks even when surrounded by loss and fear.

We explored the metaphor of the trenches, both in military history and in our own lives. Just as soldiers endure harsh, dangerous, and exhausting conditions, we too face seasons where fear, stress, and pain seem relentless. The Bible does not promise to keep us from the pit or the valley, but assures us that God is with us as we walk through them. King David, in Psalms 40 and 23, testifies that God pulls us out of the pit and walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. The question is not whether we will face suffering, but how we will respond to it.

Our attitude in the trenches matters deeply. It’s not about forcing a fake positivity or denying the reality of pain. Instead, it’s about cultivating an attitude of acceptance—trusting God’s sovereign will, even when we don’t understand it. We looked at the example of those who suffered in Nazi and Stalinist camps, yet found meaning and gratitude in the midst of horror. Acceptance doesn’t mean passivity; it means trusting that God is at work, even in suffering, and that He is bigger than our problems.

We also considered the importance of meaning. When we know our “why”—the purpose God has given us—we can endure almost any “how.” Suffering, when met with faith and gratitude, produces perseverance, character, and hope. The treasures of faith, resilience, and deeper trust in God are often discovered only in the trenches. As Bonhoeffer and others have shown, pain can reveal strengths and graces that would otherwise remain hidden.

Finally, we are challenged to see each day as a gift, to use our suffering for God’s glory, and to encourage others with the hope and gratitude that Christ gives. Even in the darkest valleys, God is doing something in us and through us. Let us be a people who give thanks—not just for the good, but even in the midst of the trenches.

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Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude in the Trenches Reveals True Faith Giving thanks when life is hard is not a denial of pain, but a declaration of trust in God’s goodness. True faith is forged not in comfort, but in adversity. When we choose gratitude in the trenches, we testify that God is worthy of praise regardless of our circumstances, and we open ourselves to see His hand at work even in suffering. [27:23]
2. Acceptance of God’s Will Brings Peace Acceptance is not resignation, but an active trust that God’s plan is wiser than our own. When we accept God’s sovereign will—even when it leads us into difficult places—we find a peace that transcends understanding. This acceptance allows us to endure suffering without becoming bitter or hopeless, knowing that God is present and purposeful in every season. [38:11]
3. Meaning Transforms Suffering into Growth When we understand our “why”—the purpose God has given us—suffering becomes an opportunity for growth rather than a cause for despair. Meaning gives us the strength to persevere, to resist bitterness, and to find hope even in the darkest times. God uses our trials to shape us into people of character, faith, and resilience. [46:56]
4. Treasure is Discovered in the Depths of Pain The deepest treasures of faith, perseverance, and trust are often uncovered only in the trenches of suffering. Pain exposes strengths and graces within us that we never knew existed. As we endure hardship with gratitude, we discover a spiritual wealth that far outweighs the temporary troubles we face. [55:29]
5. Each Day is a Gift to Be Used for God’s Glory Recognizing the brevity and value of life, we are called to use every day—even the difficult ones—to encourage others, express gratitude, and bring hope. Our response to suffering can inspire faith in those around us and spread the gospel in ways comfort never could. [60:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction: Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
[03:05] - The Story Behind “Now Thank We All Our God”
[06:30] - Living in the Trenches: Suffering and Hardship
[12:46] - Biblical Examples: David in the Pit and Valley
[17:30] - Our Attitude Toward the Trenches
[22:15] - The Limits of Positivity and the Power of Acceptance
[27:23] - Gratitude and Acceptance in Extreme Suffering
[33:10] - Trusting God’s Sovereignty in Difficult Circumstances
[38:11] - Finding Meaning in Suffering
[43:49] - Bonhoeffer and the Gift of Each Day
[46:56] - The Power of “Why”: Purpose in Pain
[51:03] - Paul’s Perspective: Suffering for God’s Glory
[55:29] - Treasure Found in the Trenches
[57:45] - Bonhoeffer’s Final Words and Lasting Gratitude
[60:35] - The Challenge: Living Each Day with Gratitude
[63:16] - Testimonies of Faith Through Tragedy
[66:27] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thanks in the Trenches

Bible Reading

Psalm 107:8 (ESV)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:8-18 (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies... So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 40, what does David say God did for him when he was in the “pit” or “miry clay”? How does this compare to God keeping us from trouble in the first place? ([29:30])
According to 2 Corinthians 4, what are some of the ways Paul describes the hardships he and others faced? What is his attitude toward these hardships? ([51:03])
The sermon talked about the story behind the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God.” What was significant about the circumstances in which Pastor Rinkhart wrote this hymn? ([03:05])
What does Psalm 107:8 call us to do, and what reason does it give for this command?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think David emphasizes that God “pulled him out” of the pit rather than keeping him from it? What does this say about God’s presence in our suffering? ([29:30])
The sermon mentions that gratitude in the trenches is not about “fake positivity.” What is the difference between pretending everything is fine and having true gratitude in hard times? ([33:10])
How does understanding our “why”—our purpose from God—help us endure suffering, according to both the sermon and 2 Corinthians 4? ([46:56])
The sermon shared examples of people in extreme situations (like Nazi and Stalinist camps) who still found gratitude. What does this teach us about the source of true peace and thankfulness? ([38:11])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt like you were “in the trenches”—facing hardship, stress, or fear. How did you respond? Looking back, is there anything you would do differently now after hearing this sermon? ([29:30])
The sermon says that acceptance is not passivity, but trusting God’s will even when we don’t understand it. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to practice this kind of acceptance? What would it look like for you to trust God in that area? ([38:11])
The pastor asked, “What is your why?”—the reason you follow Jesus. If you had to answer that question honestly today, what would you say? How does your “why” help you face suffering or disappointment? ([46:56])
The message challenged us to see each day as a gift, even the hard ones. What is one practical way you can use a difficult day this week to encourage someone else or bring hope? ([01:00:35])
The sermon talked about “treasure found in the trenches”—strengths and graces that only show up in hard times. Can you identify a specific quality or lesson God has developed in you through suffering? How has it changed you? ([55:29])
When you are going through a tough season, what helps you remember to be grateful? Is there a habit or reminder you could put in place to help you practice gratitude even when life is hard? ([53:43])
The pastor shared how seeing others go through tragedy with faith inspired him to keep serving God. Who in your life has modeled gratitude and faith in suffering? How can you follow their example or encourage them this week? ([01:03:16])

Sermon Clips

“Most of us are living in the trenches. We live in the trenches and it's hard for us to not acknowledge that. It's easy to pretend everything's good. I'm not here trying to put you on a bummer, but the reality is, even the songs that we were singing there for worship—thank you for the cross—we're so grateful for the cross. That was a moment of suffering, but we're grateful for that suffering.”

“When you think about using this term at a job, it means you're in the difficult part of the job—I'm really digging into the trenches, right? You also think when it comes to a military term, you think of the soldiers and you think how they spend most of their times in the trenches. Again, if you get that imagery with me for a moment, you'll think of the conditions of that trench. You think they're not ideal conditions. They're constantly under fire, they're constantly dealing with disease.”

“The Bible teaches us very clearly the rain falls on the just and the unjust, and it feels like when you're in the trenches it's like, oh no, now I'm about to be flooded—flooded with fear, flooded with stress, flooded with disease. Our lives, this is the time that you and I are living in, in chaos, and I understand living in the trenches is metaphorically—we're not actually in a trench—but it feels like that.”

“God is not keeping us from the trenches, but trenches are real and they come into our lives. Again, you might not be in control of all the trenches of your life, but as pastor ministered last week, what's your attitude towards those trenches?”

“Our attitude actually isn't contingent on what is going on around us either. Think about this: it's easy when everything's good—man, smile on our face, we're coming to church, we got a new suit, man, I feel good, everything is gravy. But when everything else begins to fall apart and things start to take a turn, what happens most of the time when our externals are what we're trying to portray is we begin to find ourselves frustrated.”

“There has to be a proper attitude when it comes to trenches, and it's not just a cliche. I understand you can read books upon books about having a positive attitude. You probably have a famous or a favorite, I should say, guru speaker. You're like, no, not me, pastor, I only listen to sermons. Okay, well maybe you have a TED talk that you listen to and they tell you just stay positive, just keep the right attitude, just make sure that you just stay up and happy. You know, the problem with those is that when we fall short of staying positive, staying happy, staying grateful, we beat ourselves up.”

“Acceptance has a big part to do with this—an acceptance attitude, right? An acceptance attitude is more important because when you can actively accept God's sovereign will for your life, then no matter what you go through, you trust him. That when I know that God has a plan for my life, no matter what it is, I'll be alright. I will be just fine.”

“When you have an attitude of acceptance, no matter where God takes you, I will do it. No matter what I may face, I will do it. Why am I going to do that? Because I am not relying on the outside conditions, but I'm relying on the God who lives inside of me to help me through the outside conditions.”

“Do you really believe that God is surprised by your circumstance? Do you really believe that God is surprised by you living in the trenches? Or do you and I believe with all of our heart that even if we have to go through suffering, even if we have to go through the trenches of Jeremiah, we have to learn how to trust God even when it's difficult. We have to trust God even when we're in the trenches.”

“If any other condition had been better for you than the one which you are in, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances.”

“When life is going good and life is easy, we can—you and I say it's not necessarily about how I feel about it, what is the purpose for it? I know this church and many of the people of this church and the families of this church, and I know that you've been through difficulties and I know that you have suffered and I know you've gone through the trenches and you've been in the trenches for most of your Christianity and it could feel like, oh my, there's a reason for it and we might not always understand it.”

“What is your why? What is the reason that you're a Christian? What is it? Is it because everything is so much dandier than what it was in the world, or do you have a meaning and a purpose that God gives you?”

“When you have a why to live, you can bear anyhow. It don't matter what's happening in your life, you have a meaning and you get to choose as that person that has a heart after God what you're going to do with those difficulties or trenches. When you're confronted with suffering, will you rebel or will you accept it and be able to say, God, I don't know what you're doing through this, but I know you're going to make me a stronger Christian.”

“As a Christian, you've gone through things. You can say, I didn't enjoy it at the moment, I was having a hard time with it, but the fact is I'm a stronger Christian today than I was then.”

“Somebody who understands meaning, they don't attack their problems through numbness or passivity. They understand that spiritual freedom—me and my God being able to continue on—is I refuse to give up hope even when it seems hopeless or impossible. That I'm going to continue on no matter what, and I'm not only going to continue on, I'm going to be grateful.”

“The reality is every single one of us here, we accept the good from God, but can we also accept the adversity? Because adversity is going to come. The question is, how are you going to interpret those circumstances? Hopefully you can do it with an understanding that there is a purpose behind it.”

“The apostle Paul is saying very clearly we're going through suffering, we're living in the trenches and we're going and facing off with all these conditions, our bodies are being killed right now, but you know what's cool about it is that more people are coming to faith, more people are coming to know Jesus Christ, and the things we see right now, they're not lasting forever. The suffering is not gonna be forever, the trenches are not gonna always be where we live, but we know that in those moments it leads to something greater.”

“Studies show that people that are deliberately cultivating gratitude are actually better off. They're more happy—even though that kind of don't matter, amen—they're more happy, but in addition, gratefulness, especially the expression of it to others, is linked to more energy, optimism, and empathy. Now, when you and I can go through the things we go through, but yet we still are grateful even for those moments, it actually lightens us up, it gives us a new light.”

“Inside of us there are things that we bring out that we didn't even realize were there, and it's a reality—you'll never know that they're there until you go through the trenches. I mean, you'll never know that you can be a man or a woman of perseverance until you actually have to go through things. You never knew that you could be the man or the woman that can trust God even when it seems impossible.”

“That treasure of being able to continue on, resist, and continue to persevere is only found when you have to go through something. And the pain that you're facing may not be something other people can relate to or speak into, but you know that, you know what, I got a God who can relate to me. I got a God who is able to help me. Might not be what I imagined, but God knows this is what I needed so I can be the man or the woman of God that I'm supposed to be.”

“If I have to suffer in the trenches, I am going to take it with thanksgiving. I'm going to do it because—why, God?—it is from your hand and I am thankful what you're doing in my life.”

“Even as Christians, we go through things, yes. And I know I had, you know, I had a couple of thoughts, but I really felt God put this on my heart: is that we can be grateful for all the things that are going on in our life that are right—praise Jesus—but reality is most of us are going to suffer at some point or another. Whether it's from this service forward or whether it's a year from now, two years from now, whatever the case may be, my prayer is that in the moment of our suffering or living through the trenches, you and I can still give thanks and you and I can still look at this difficulty and say, you know what, God has a purpose and I know that he's still praiseworthy because his marvelous works are shown to us every single day.”

“Do you see your days as numbered, as a gift? And if you do see them that way, how are you going to use them? Will you use them to their fullest? Will you be one who will encourage? Will you be one who will be able to lift and bring hope? Will you show people that even through the difficulties you still can have a heart of gratitude, can be one that no matter what, if I live in the trenches, I serve a good God?”

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, that when you and I go through things, you can still count it a joy because you know your God is doing something within your life, as suffering produces something.”

“Our church here has experienced such events—tragedy has happened to our families of our church—and in reality, through those tragedies, God has breathed upon others and I believe it's still taking and making impact today. I know for myself, seeing my pastor and the families of this church go through the tragedies of losing their daughters, it actually caused something inside of me to watch them and how they reacted. My pastor and his family stayed faithful in it. It was like, if they can stay serving God through those difficulties, I can stay serving God. I know I could stay serving God.”

“Even as we serve Jesus, we do go through things still. The reality is, is those secrets are inside of us. We serve a God who's put in our hearts that even in a matter of difficulty, I still can choose to serve him and then there's the meaning, and no matter what, I'm not doing this just because I want to be happy, I'm doing this because there's a meaning behind it.”

“My hope this morning is that even through the difficulties you're going through, there's a light that has shined upon it and say, you know what, I can go through this with a purpose. I can go through this because I got a God who lives inside of me. Greater is he who lives in me than he who's in the world. That if God is going to present these things into my life, I know he's doing it for a reason. I'm gonna be able to accept that reason and I'm gonna actually give thanks even in that mist of the trenches.”

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