Today, I was watching a service and the pastor said to start thanking God for all the things He has done. Ashamedly, I could only go on for a few minutes before I caught myself petitioning God instead of praising Him. 

My prayer went something like: Thank You God for my life, thank You God for my health, and I thank You for all that You’ve done for me.. I pray that You start to do xyz for my family….. I pray that You give me a heart of thanksgiving… and so on. 

Once I realized how off track I went, I had a serious heart to heart with God. I told Him that it’s hard to be grateful when a lot of the things I’ve prayed for haven’t manifested. I could barely continue before I realized wait… I have Jesus. 

That revelation alone got me out of my seat and led me to repent and then praise the Lord. Yes, I still don’t have the tangible realization of the things I’ve prayed for, but by faith I know Jehovah Jireh has heard me, & will give me everything I need. But more than that, I have the giver of all good things. He is mine and I am His!!!

It’s so easy to look at what we don’t have and forget all the things God has already done, or what He has said over our lives. However, we must encourage ourselves with the remembrance of what the Lord has done just like David did in Psalm 143, where in between anguish and pain, David remembers the Lord:

I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.

I remember the days of old.
I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

Psalm 143:4-6 NLT

In those times where it feels easier to wallow in sorrow, God wants us to instead look to Him, our hope in times of distress, our Great Comforter, our Sustainer. To thank Him even when you don’t feel like you have a reason. Our feelings could keep us down, but a heart of gratitude can lift us up. 

Take Hannah for example. She wept bitterly before the Lord because she was barren. As she was praying for her child, a man of God named Eli saw her and encouraged her saying the following:

“In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:17)

Hannah responded by saying:

“Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. (1 Samuel 1:18)

Notice, she is still barren, she doesn’t have her child yet! However, by faith, and by turning her heart to God, she thanks the man and her entire attitude changes. 

Do you want to walk in His Will? Do you yearn to know the will of God for your life. Start by thanking God in all things: 

In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV