Cultivating a Grateful Heart: Thankful in all circumstances by Maria Guzman

"16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers,

As you read the title of this blog post, I'm sure one of the most difficult things to do in life is to live thankfully in all circumstances, especially during a trial or a challenging moment. It can be difficult as it is so easy to let our emotions get in the way and take control of our state of being. But in God, there is a joy (a thankfulness, a grateful heart) that is available to us at any moment wherever we are, no matter how good or bad the situation is, cling onto these verses (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and be thankful in all circumstances anyway.

You might have said to yourself, that being thankful in all circumstances is not possible. I have to say, I have been in those shoes before and I have said that same statement. I've had many trials and challenging moments where I did not have God in my life and these were the most all-consuming and at times felt like never-ending moments. These moments brought a lack of sleep, stress was at an all-time high, emotions were all over the place, and a feeling of struggle and stagnancy had settled in due to the feeling that there was a heavy weight on my shoulders. But God is such a merciful God, found me in the midst of what I was going through and I am GRATEFUL and THANKFUL He found me where I was and tugged my heart to return to His kingdom as a Child of God. 

That is when I started cultivating a grateful heart! I made the decision and reconciled my life with Christ over 20+ years ago, and have managed trials or challenging moments in a different way by trusting and acting on His word. The Bible says to give him ALL of my burdens for His yoke is light. I have given Him my burdens and not looked back on it or took it back to try to handle it my way. Nope. I let go and let God do what He needs to do. In doing so, He has brought a joy that brings an overwhelming peace to my heart as I trust in the One who can do the impossible, possible! A joy that allows me to give thanks and praise that comes from the profoundness of my soul. A joy that no matter what I am going through, He gives me the strength to keep moving forward and not stay stagnant, not allowing my emotions to control me, instead I bring my emotions to God for Him to control. A joy that even when dealing with a chronic health condition that has touched my body, I continue clinging to Jehovah Rapha, our healer, to bring His healing to my life daily.

I don't know if you are dealing with a difficult moment in your life and feel that there is no way out of it. Let go and let God do what He needs to do. Trust in the Lord with everything, act on His word and give Him thanks and praise through it all. You will see His hand as He takes control of the situation or circumstance and through any of the experience(s) you face, you will know how to live a life full of gratitude and thankfulness in all circumstances.

Father God, I give you thanks and praise for who you are in our lives. I pray for the person(s) reading this post. I pray that they continue to live their life with a grateful heart and if there is someone who doesn't know you or is backsliding, that they may reach out to you so that they can start a relationship or come back and restore their relationship as you did with me. There are so many benefits of our relationship with you, including, living eternally in heaven with you. Father God, I ask you that if someone is facing a difficult situation or circumstance, you may bring them peace that surpasses all understanding and your joy which brings strength. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Many Blessings,
Maria Guzman