The Bible encourages us to be thankful at all times. But how do you thank God when you feel like nothing but bad things are happening in your life?

Remember Who God Is, Trust Him

When life is tough, remember who God is. He is good, powerful, loving and faithful. God holds the power to change all things, and you can come to Him because he loves you. When my baby was in the hospital fighting for life, I forced myself to thank God (with tears in my eyes), because I remembered that our God is good all the time. Our circumstances may change, but God does not!

Being thankful, no matter what, shows you trust God’s plan for your life. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). That means God has the power to give and the power to take away. Have faith in His power and His perfect plan for your life.

Come to Jesus, He will Satisfy

No amount of material things will ever satisfy us. We always want more. But Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Jesus is the only source of true satisfaction. Have you come to Jesus and received the life he offers? When you do, you can learn God’s plan for your life and then be thankful in every situation.

List Your Blessings, Focus on the Good Things

When we thank God, we are focused on our blessings. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father...” (James 1:17). Write down all the good things God has given you. Start with life itself and his son Jesus, who died on the cross for you. You will be amazed at how long your list will be. This will change your perspective and help you see that God loves you. Having a thankful heart doesn’t mean your life is perfect; it means you focus on the good things God has given you.