Giving Thanks Gives Joy

Your personal happiness is definitely affected by what is perceived as being capable of stealing away your confidence. Rarely does a day go by without challenges to your peace and joy, but thank God, these challenges can be sidestepped. Your happiness and the capacity for thanksgiving are distinctly bound up together.

C. S. Lewis explains, "It’s possible to give thanks in everything: if it’s good, simply because it’s good; if it’s bad, because it works in us to produce patience, humility and hope." Giving thanks for what is good is easy, but the real challenge comes in trying to utter words of thanksgiving for unpleasant and painful experiences.

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s words of encouragement for facing difficult times. "Be joyful always; pray continually; and give thanks in all situations, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." A sense of joy can parallel difficult times as you rest assured that God’s intention is for good to spring forth in all you experience.  

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We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks for the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light.

~Colossians 1:9, 11-12 Good News Bible