“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
Sometimes, your thanksgiving must be sacrificial because certain circumstances make it practically impossible for you to say, “Thank you, Lord.” That is why thanksgiving sometimes must be sacrificial. A sacrifice is something that is not convenient to give. It is easy to say, “Thank you,” when everything is going well, but Paul admonishes us to thank God in all circumstances, including the bad times (1 Thess. 5:18).
The reason thanksgiving must sometimes be sacrificial is that the circumstances you find yourself in may not permit you to say thank you, but thanksgiving can also be the weapon that will bring you out of your trouble. Sometimes, you must leave behind your troubles and come before God with a heart of gratitude as if God has already done it. That is why every effective prayer must start and end with thanksgiving. This was the pattern of prayers that Jesus taught us. He said, when you pray, say, “Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be your name….” May you come to a point in your Christian life where, even in the midst of troubles, you are still giving thanks to God.
Prayer: Begin to appreciate the Lord for His goodness and mercies in your life.