Through It All: Finding Radical Gratitude in Every Circumstance

Friends, sisters, and brothers in Christ, I wish you grace and peace.
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            One of the simplest but hardest commands in our faith is to "Give thanks in all circumstances." When life is good—when we get a promotion, reach a milestone, or enjoy quiet comforts—gratitude comes easily. But how do we find gratitude when life gets hard, when we face loss or uncertainty? This week’s scriptures bring us to the story of Job, who experienced deep loss. In Job 1:18-21, a messenger tells him that all his children have died. In one moment, Job loses everything that mattered to him. Instead of responding with anger, he worships God in his grief. He tears his robe, falls to the ground, and says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job’s response shows a deep trust in God, recognizing that everything he had was a gift. His gratitude is not for the loss, but for God’s constant presence and sovereignty, which gives him strength even in pain.

            The Apostle Paul, who knew hardship well, shares a similar perspective. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, he writes, “So we do not lose heart... Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” Paul calls his suffering a “slight, momentary affliction,” showing us that he saw his pain as temporary because he focused on what is eternal. He believed that his struggles were shaping him for something greater. This passage teaches us that being grateful during hard times is a deep act of faith. It does not mean ignoring pain, but trusting that God’s grace is with us and that our struggles are helping us grow.

            When we feel overwhelmed by loss, uncertainty, or struggle, we can choose to practice this deep gratitude like Job. We do not have to be thankful for the hard times themselves, but for what they show us: the lasting love we have shared, the strength God gives us, the support of our faith community, and the promise of Christ’s resurrection, which means loss is never the end. Like Job, we can say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Like Paul, we can look beyond our current troubles to the eternal hope being formed in us. This kind of gratitude reminds us that our greatest treasure is our relationship with God, who is always with us. Let us try to see life with eyes of faith, always finding a reason to praise God.