Thanksgiving Matters—Especially When It’s Hard

Most people agree that gratitude makes life better—but when pain comes, it’s not easy to give thanks. Thanksgiving matters because it unlocks God’s presence and transforms our trials into triumphs.

Eighty percent of Americans say Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. Most everyone would agree that being thankful makes the world a better place. People with an attitude of gratitude:

• treat others better,
• have healthier relationships,
• like themselves more,
• sleep more soundly,
• experience fewer physical aches and pains, and
• suffer less from PTSD.

But let’s be honest—thankfulness isn’t always easy. Giving thanks isn’t high on my to-do list when hard stuff rocks my world. Yet the Bible reminds us it should be.

When Giving Thanks Feels Impossible

You’ve surely heard the phrase, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and give thanks in it.” Many know it comes from Psalm 118, but fewer realize that some scholars believe this was the song Jesus and His disciples sang on the night before His crucifixion.

That changes everything, doesn’t it? Jesus faced the cross with joy (Hebrews 12:2). He said His suffering was necessary, binding, and something he ought to do (Matthew 16:21).

F.B. Meyer explained:

“There was a great price to be paid; it was only through suffering and death that Jesus could do His greatest work, in redeeming and cleansing the children of men. He might have been the miracle worker apart from Calvary; but to be the Savior, He must not spare Himself but be willing to pour out His soul even unto death.”

Whenever I’m tempted to complain instead of rejoice, I must look to Jesus. Eternally great works are underway. Choosing thankfulness clears the way into His presence—where strength, hope, and joy await.

Making More Room for Christ

Although the life of Christ is fully formed in us at salvation, He doesn’t force His way in. He asks us to make room for Him. That’s why pain often has a divine purpose.

• Failing to give thanks wastes pain’s potential.
• Offering a sacrifice of praise ushers us into God’s presence.
• Gratitude enlarges our capacity for His Spirit. 

When our hearts break, God lovingly mends them with Himself. Our hurts make more room for His Spirit to work. Yes, dying to self hurts—but it is the pathway to Christlikeness. As Paul wrote, sharing in Christ’s sufferings is cause for rejoicing (Philippians 3:10).

Resist the Urge to Run

Pain has a way of exposing what we trust most. The world tempts us to run from what hurts and chase what feels good. But many of those “good things” are deceptions that promise immediate gratification and rob us of eternal treasure.

The enemy of our soul whispers lies, urging us to escape God’s refining process. But Scripture calls us to stand firm, fix our eyes on Jesus, and silence Satan’s traps (Matthew 16:23).

Wisdom gives thanks in the hard times because the outcome is eternally good.

Embrace the Eternal

Our hurts are like emotional nerves—warning signals that something deeper nears attention. Ignored, they can endanger our souls. But when we choose to trust God, we learn to see pain as divine intervention.

Thanksgiving shifts our perspective:

• We recognize God’s goodness even in difficulty.
• We allow Him to separate us from earthly treasures that block His presence.
• We gain robust spiritual health that endures into eternity. 

Bring Heaven to Earth

Offering gratitude in the midst of pain is an intentional act of worship. It glorifies God, strengthens our spirit, and testifies to others that His love is real.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4 NLT).

When you choose thanksgiving, heaven touches earth. Wholeness fills your heart, peace steadies your mind, and God’s glory shines through your life.

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Don’t let trials steal your praise. Remember that Thanksgiving matters every day—not just in November. Step into God’s presence with gratitude and watch Him transform your pain into purpose. Give today to help share this message of hope with the world.