There is Much to be Thankful for
By Ryan Dawson
The other day, I was talking with a parent who has been walking through a really challenging season with their child. You could see the heaviness in their eyes, the weight they were carrying. I asked, “How are things going?” Their answer stopped me in my tracks. They smiled gently and said, “There is much to give thanks for.” It wasn’t denial. It wasn’t pretending everything was fine. It was faith. I was deeply inspired by that response — because gratitude in the middle of hardship is one of the clearest signs of a heart anchored in God.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT), “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Notice Paul doesn’t say for all circumstances, but in them. Thanksgiving isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending the struggle doesn’t exist — it’s about remembering who God is in the middle of it.
When we practice thanksgiving, we’re choosing to rise above our circumstances. We’re declaring that God is still faithful, still working, and still worthy of praise. Gratitude opens our eyes to see evidence of His grace that might otherwise be hidden beneath our worries. Psalm 100:4 (NLT) invites us to, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday—it’s a posture of the heart. It’s how we draw near to God. When we give thanks regularly, our hearts become softer, our faith grows stronger, and our perspective becomes clearer.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to make gratitude a rhythm, not just a reaction. Maybe take a few moments each day this week to write down three things you’re thankful for. You might be surprised at how quickly your spirit lifts. Even in the struggle, there is much to give thanks for. Because God is with us. He is good. And He is always working out His purposes for our good and His glory.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
May this Thanksgiving be more than a meal — may it be a moment to pause, remember, and give thanks to the One who never stops being faithful.
With gratitude, Ryan
The other day, I was talking with a parent who has been walking through a really challenging season with their child. You could see the heaviness in their eyes, the weight they were carrying. I asked, “How are things going?” Their answer stopped me in my tracks. They smiled gently and said, “There is much to give thanks for.” It wasn’t denial. It wasn’t pretending everything was fine. It was faith. I was deeply inspired by that response — because gratitude in the middle of hardship is one of the clearest signs of a heart anchored in God.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT), “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Notice Paul doesn’t say for all circumstances, but in them. Thanksgiving isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending the struggle doesn’t exist — it’s about remembering who God is in the middle of it.
When we practice thanksgiving, we’re choosing to rise above our circumstances. We’re declaring that God is still faithful, still working, and still worthy of praise. Gratitude opens our eyes to see evidence of His grace that might otherwise be hidden beneath our worries. Psalm 100:4 (NLT) invites us to, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday—it’s a posture of the heart. It’s how we draw near to God. When we give thanks regularly, our hearts become softer, our faith grows stronger, and our perspective becomes clearer.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to make gratitude a rhythm, not just a reaction. Maybe take a few moments each day this week to write down three things you’re thankful for. You might be surprised at how quickly your spirit lifts. Even in the struggle, there is much to give thanks for. Because God is with us. He is good. And He is always working out His purposes for our good and His glory.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
May this Thanksgiving be more than a meal — may it be a moment to pause, remember, and give thanks to the One who never stops being faithful.
With gratitude, Ryan