“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Tis the season of gratitude! During this time of year, we can find so much to be thankful for from Thanksgiving (a holiday with a name that literally speaks for itself) to New Year’s Day when we recollect highlights from the retiring year and anticipate new beginnings in the upcoming one. In between these is Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Savior and express our appreciation for all He has done for us through acts of goodwill toward others.

However, gratefulness is more than a seasonal habit or a polite response-it’s a posture of the heart that should be present daily. “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High,” (Psalm 9:1-2).

Looking back on this past year, I have so much to be grateful for: good health and safety, quality time with family and friends, new adventures, all my needs being met, a job that provides financially, my God-given gifts, starting a new decade in life, every person who helped me out this year or provided a kind word or hug or prayer, lost souls saved, answered prayers, one more Christmas with my kids in our home, my church family, my book club friends, my volunteer roles and being able to help my community, the gorgeous tableaus of sunrises and sunsets, a good cup of coffee…I could go on and on.

It’s extremely easy to feel and express gratitude for all the good things in our lives. However, as Christians, we are invited daily to live with thankful spirits, not because life is always easy, but because God is always faithful.

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,” (1 Corinthians 1:9). “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” (Hebrews 10:23).

A couple of months ago, I viewed a reel on Facebook advertising a show on the Angel network. I’ve never seen it, but it appeared to have a High School Musical vibe but with troubled kids attending a Christian camp. What really caught my attention was a song the actors sang during the clip called “The Hell of It” (not to be mistaken for the slang “helluvit” meaning just because). The song is composed of lyrics thanking God “for the hell of it”-for the bad things in life that injure us, discourage us, and attempt to defeat us.

Look back at 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and notice it doesn’t say we are to give thanks for all circumstances, but in them. Gratitude isn’t denial of hardship; it’s a declaration of trust. It’s us declaring that even in the most challenging times of our lives we know God is present and we believe that He is good. Therefore, we should express gratitude not only for the positives, but also for the hurdles of life (emotional and physical hurts, our weaknesses, regrets, during our greatest challenges, in our times of mourning, etc.).

Being thankful for our struggles is not an easy feat. However, it is a command from the Lord. Therefore, although it’s hard and goes against everything I think and often feel, I strive to give thanks to God in all things, including those that cause me strife: loneliness, uncertainty, weariness, stress, disappointed hopes, dealing with difficult people, etc.

Another portion of the song that I mentioned previously resonates with me. “Do you know what God calls an angry prayer? A prayer.” I’ve had several of these the past couple of years, but once I said/screamed/cried those angry prayers out loud, I immediately felt the embrace of my Heavenly Father surrounding me, and I knew that I was heard and that I was loved. I may not have gotten the answer I wanted or an answer at all, but I knew God was there and that His plans and timing are better than mine. Therefore, I continue to put my faith and hope in Him alone.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” (Romans 5:1-5).

Mary (Mother of Jesus)

(Matthew 1:18-25, 2; Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-52)

Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior, was a biblical woman who demonstrated gratitude and praise to God in times of both difficulty and joy.

After the angel told Mary she would be the mother of Jesus, her response was not fear or pride or complaint, but thankful worship. Although her life was about to change in ways she could not fully understand, Mary praised God for choosing her and for His mercy, power, and faithfulness. Instead of focusing on herself, Mary gave all glory to God.

Mary’s song of praise can be found in Luke 1:46-55.

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.’”

Mary’s response to God’s calling teaches us a powerful lesson about gratitude. Mary’s gratefulness came from humility. She recognized that everything she received was a gift from God, not something she earned. Even though her future held uncertainty and difficulty, she trusted God completely. Her thankfulness was rooted in faith, not in comfort or ease.

Mary was a virgin and was already pledged to be married before discovering she would be having a baby. She likely faced ridicule and gossip from others around her. Despite these things, Mary was grateful stating, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled,” (Luke 1:38).

Later, we know Mary had to travel approximately 90 miles to Bethlehem on the back of a donkey while at the end of her pregnancy. Then, she had to give birth in less-than-ideal circumstances, alone with her husband in a barn. Later, the family had to flee their home and go live in Egypt for a time to escape Herod’s wrath. Finally, we learn Mary witnessed the death of her beloved first child, who died in a most demeaning and tortuous way.

Like Mary, we are called to be grateful even when we don’t know what lies ahead or during times of adversity. Despite all her trials, Mary remained God’s faithful servant. Her grateful heart reminds believers that gratitude is not just about receiving good things or saying “thank you” when things go well-it is about trusting and praising God in every situation.

In our busy lives filled with tasks such as caring for and serving others and managing an array of responsibilities, it can be easy to focus on what’s lacking. We compare, we rush, we worry. Yet gratefulness gently redirects our eyes. It slows us down enough to notice God’s fingerprints: the quiet morning prayer, a timely word of encouragement, strength for today even when tomorrow feels uncertain.

Gratefulness also transforms our perspective. When we thank God for what He has already done, our faith grows for what He will do next. We begin to see blessings we once overlooked. A thankful heart is fertile soil where joy can bloom.

This year, I’ve learned to welcome both the good and the bad in my life because both are shaping me into the woman God wants me to be. I’m gaining priceless wisdom and fortitude, have discovered I am capable of so much more than I ever realized, and have learned to give the things I’m unable to control over to God because He promises He is for me.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:9). “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

As year 2025 comes to a close, I encourage you to look back at the last twelve months and find those moments of gratitude. They may not always be the flashy, obvious, big moments of life, but rather might be the quiet, simple things we often take for granted.

Practicing gratefulness doesn’t require perfection. If you plan to be more intentional in expressing appreciation this coming year, I encourage you to start small. Write down three things each day that you’re thankful for. Thank God out loud in prayer, even for simple things. Invite others to look for God’s goodness alongside you. Over time, gratitude will become less of a discipline and more of a reflex.

As women of faith, our grateful hearts can be a powerful testimony. In a world that often complains and strives for more, a woman who rests in thankfulness quietly points others to Christ.

May we choose gratefulness today and in the days to come, not because life is perfect, but because God is present, and that is always enough.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him,” (Colossians 3:15-17).

Have a blessed week and a Happy New Year! I am grateful for you.

-Becky