How can we practically "be thankful" in challenging circumstances?

◄ Ways to show gratitude in tough times? ►

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

• “Let” reminds us the command is active—thankfulness is a choice.

• “Rule” (Gk. brabeuō) pictures an umpire calling the shots; Christ’s peace decides what stays in or out of our hearts.

• “And be thankful” ties gratitude directly to allowing His peace to preside.

Why gratitude is non-negotiable—even when life hurts

• It’s God’s expressed will (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• It guards hearts and minds with supernatural peace (Philippians 4:6-7).

• It keeps us from grumbling that provoked God’s wrath in the wilderness (1 Colossians 10:10-11).

• It testifies to the watching world that Christ is enough (Psalm 40:3).

Practical ways to “be thankful” in hard seasons

Choose to remember

• List past deliverances—“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

• Read biblical narratives of God’s faithfulness (e.g., Joseph in Genesis 50:20).

Speak it out loud

• Verbally thank God for specific blessings—faith grows when ears hear truth (Romans 10:17).

• Share testimonies with believers; gratitude is contagious (Psalm 34:2).

Pray Scripture back to God

• Turn verses like Psalm 28:7 or Habakkuk 3:17-18 into personal declarations.

• Pray Colossians 3:15 itself, asking Christ’s peace to umpire your thoughts.

Sing, even through tears

• Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:25).

• Worship music realigns focus from crisis to Christ (Psalm 69:30).

Offer a “sacrifice of thanksgiving”

• Thank Him before circumstances change (Psalm 50:14).

• Refuse to wait for feelings; obedience precedes emotion (John 13:17).

Serve someone else

• Acts of love break self-absorption and spark gratitude (2 Corinthians 9:12-13).

• Look for simple ways—write a note, deliver a meal, pray for a friend.

Keep a gratitude journal

• Daily record three evidences of God’s goodness; review on dark days (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Guard your inputs

• Limit voices that fuel fear; saturate mind with Scripture (Colossians 3:16).

• Memorize key “thankfulness texts” (Ephesians 5:20; Psalm 92:1-2).

Biblical snapshots of thankful hearts under pressure

• Job: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).

• Daniel: opened windows toward Jerusalem and gave thanks, though decreed to die (Daniel 6:10).

• Jesus: gave thanks before breaking the loaves, knowing the cross awaited (John 6:11).

The harvest that follows gratitude

• Deeper peace (Colossians 3:15).

• Renewed joy (Psalm 95:2).

• Strengthened faith (Colossians 2:7).

• A witness that adorns the gospel (Titus 2:10).

Let Christ’s peace call the plays in your heart today—and keep choosing gratitude until feelings catch up with truth.