“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” – St. Ambrose

How many times have we chosen to be grateful only at our own convenience? How easily do we forget the abounding blessings that go unrecognized around us?  How frequently do we give thanks to God in every situation, good or bad?

It is easy to feel thankful when things seem to be going our way, or when we feel like we have the time to recognize it. But the true test is finding blessings and gratitude in everything: our suffering, our relief, our routines, our busyness, our joys, our challenges, our exhaustion, our doubt, our triumphs. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us “give thanks in all circumstances”. Not just when it is easy, not just when we feel like we should, but in ALL circumstances. Even when it is bad, be grateful.

It is no secret that life comes with challenges. We know that suffering is inevitable and it will look different for each of us. But God has shown us time and time again, that he is the light that can shine through any darkness, that although the rain may come, flowers often follow. It is so easy to forget our blessings when we are suffering or feeling lost. But when we give thanks in ALL circumstances, we start to see more clearly just how blessed we truly are. When we thank God for the challenges we face, we can begin to find ways to turn our pain into praise, and our sufferings into seeds.

Life can quickly feel overwhelming and it’s crucial to ground ourselves in our Lord and our faith by recognizing our blessings every day. This month try to write down three things you are grateful for each day. When you are feeling frustrated or angry, find the blessing. When you are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, find the blessing. When you feel busy and stretched thin, find the blessing. When you feel joyful, find the blessing. Some days it may be harder than others, but there is always, always a blessing waiting to be found! The more we show our gratitude to God, the easier it will be to find reasons to be thankful. Our blessings are abundant, in bad times and in good, all we have to do is find them.

“Give thanks in all circumstances” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In this season of giving thanks please join us in praying this Litany of Gratitude