How Gratefulness Brings Us Peace in Difficulties

I sometimes forget an important aspect of this passage:

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

 

I love that passage. I memorized it years ago, and it's always been special to me. In fact, I like to recite it when I'm going through difficulties. 

God's Word is an amazing help because it's alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). 

 

But there have been times when I would recite this passage and seek God in prayer, but still feel anxious. That's because I'd forgotten these two words: “with thanksgiving.”
 

When we’re going through a difficulty, it’s easy to narrow our focus and see our problems as hopeless and impossible. But when we come to God with a thankful heart, we can find the peace we're seeking, a peace that only He can give. We find a similar passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
 

So how do we have a thankful heart when we’re suffering? We remind ourselves of times in the past when God sustained us through hardship, and/or we remember our present blessings that aren’t affected by our difficulty.
 

Next time you’re anxious, broaden your focus and come to God with a thankful heart.

I also encourage you to read the one-minute devotions: Don’t Underestimate the Power of Gratitude and Let Your Heart Be Renewed in Gratitude which offers fourteen reasons to be thankful.

BLN