A minister was known for always thanking God in his public prayers. One Sunday morning was particularly terrible and gloomy. A church member though to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t thank God for such a terrible day.” When the preacher got up and began to pray, he said, “We thank Thee, O God, that every day is not always like this.”

Anyone can be thankful when life is good. It really takes some effort to be thankful when life is difficult. Being thankful is a practiced skill. It’s a mindset we have to constantly work on. When we do, we are likely to find many, many wonderful parts of our lives to give thanks for, especially the small ones we take for granted.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

God wants us to be thankful people. Finding something to be thankful for may take some time, it may take some creativity, and it may even send us into deep thought. No matter what it takes, let’s practice the habit of being thankful.

–Brett Petrillo