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“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. (Psalm 92:1-2)

Is it really possible to give thanks in all things?  When the world is crashing down on your shoulders, when unexpected tragedy hits or unfairness ravages your life like a lion, tearing it into shreds, is it possible to be thankful for it?

Yes. If in the midst of it all, as the Psalm says, you can do three things:

• Sing praises to the Most High
• Declare His steadfast love
• Declare His faithfulness

Easier said than done, right? But when we strive to praise God from whom all blessings (and mercy and strength and comfort) flow, we are lifting up our problems off our shoulders and giving it all to Him to handle. We are no longer concentrating on our troubles, but on Him.

If we trust in His steadfast love to carry us through another day and His faithfulness to give us peace and rest at night, then our faith increases. Step by step, day by day, we can get through whatever life tosses at us.

Mother Teresa was quoted to have said something to the effect of this, “I know God will never give me more than I can handle, I just wish He didn’t have so much confidence in me.”

Do you feel that way?  I know I do at times. Then I realize my eyes are once again on me.  I am convicted that I have not been very thankful, which means I have been plodding along on my own. I’ve been thinking God is in my hip pocket in case I needed to pull Him out and use Him, like a tool. Instead, it should be the other way around. I need to be His tool to do as He bids me, and have confidence His love and faithfulness will always be there no matter what. Then, I can truly give thanks and sing His praise.

Question: Are you using God as a tool to fix your life or letting Him use you as one? How can you have enough confidence in His steadfast love and faithfulness to thank Him in all things?

About the Author: Julie Cosgrove