Gratitude in the Dark: How Thanksgiving Builds Faith When Life Feels Broken
- Enid OA
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 3
When Gratitude Feels Impossible
Let’s be honest—there are seasons when saying “thank You, Lord” feels like a lie. When life feels dry and painful, when prayers seem unanswered, and when the silence from heaven feels deafening, gratitude doesn’t come easily.
But this is exactly when we need it most.
Gratitude in these moments isn’t denial—it’s defiance. It’s telling the darkness, “My God is still good.” It’s not about pretending everything is okay. It’s about declaring, even through tears, that God is still faithful—even here, even now.
Like I wrote in When we Pray, Things Happen, even when we don’t see immediate results, God is at work behind the scenes. Gratitude anchors us to that truth. It’s not rooted in how we feel—it’s rooted in who God is.
Gratitude Helps Us Remember What God Has Already Done
Pain has a way of making us forget.
When we’re overwhelmed by what’s missing or what hurts, we tend to overlook the blessings we’ve already received. That’s why intentional reflection is so important.
In Joshua 4, after God miraculously parted the Jordan River, the Israelites built a memorial of stones to remember what He had done. We need our own “memorial stones” of gratitude.
Take time to reflect:
What has God brought you through?
When did He answer a prayer you almost gave up on?
What protection or provision has He quietly given?
These aren’t just memories—they’re faith-builders. Remembering how God moved in the past gives us courage to trust Him again.
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” – Psalm 77:11
Make a Gratitude List (Even Through the Tears)
Even in a hard season, you can begin a gratitude list. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be deep. It just has to be honest.
Start small:
Thank You for waking me up today.
Thank You for breath in my lungs.
Thank You for walking with me, even when I feel alone.
Thank You for what You’ve done that I’ve forgotten.
This kind of gratitude is healing. It’s a choice that reorients your heart and redirects your thoughts. When your mind is crowded with grief, disappointment, or confusion, gratitude becomes a filter through which God’s faithfulness begins to shine again.
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Gratitude Opens Our Eyes to What God Is Doing—Even If We Can’t See It Yet
Sometimes, we only thank God for what we understand or can explain. But much of His work happens in silence, in hidden places, and on timelines we don’t control.
As I shared in Do You Know My Father?, our God is a loving, intentional Father—even when we don’t understand His ways.
“Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’” – John 13:7
Gratitude trains our eyes to see beyond what’s visible. It reminds us that God is working in ways we cannot yet see. And it gives us the peace to rest in His sovereignty.
Thanking God for What’s Coming Builds Faith for What’s Missing
Gratitude is not just about the past or the present—it’s also about the future. It’s a declaration of faith in what God is about to do.
When we thank God in advance, we are making a prophetic statement: “I believe You’re already at work. I believe breakthrough is coming. I believe healing is on its way.”
Try this:
“Thank You, Lord, for the provision I haven’t seen yet.”
“Thank You for the peace that’s coming.”
“Thank You for the open doors You are preparing.”
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Thanksgiving in advance isn’t wishful thinking—it’s warfare. It shifts our focus from what’s broken to what’s being restored.
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Gratitude Is Healing in the Middle of Pain
In Be Still and Trust God, I shared how peace doesn’t always come from control—it comes from surrender.
Gratitude is part of that surrender. It calms the noise in our minds. It softens the hard places in our hearts. It redirects our focus from the problem to the Promise-Keeper.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” – Psalm 100:4
Thanksgiving draws us into God’s presence—and in His presence, there is healing, perspective, and renewed strength.
When practiced consistently, gratitude can break anxiety, shift depression, and quiet fear. It’s not a quick fix—but it is a powerful start.
A Gratitude Challenge to Strengthen Your Faith
Here’s a simple practice to begin today. Carve out just 10 minutes and make a three-part gratitude list:
➤ Look Back:
Write down 3 things God has done in your past.
➤ Look Around:
List 3 things He’s doing right now (even if they feel small).
➤ Look Ahead:
Declare 3 things you’re trusting Him for—and thank Him in advance.
Repeat this daily. Speak your list out loud. Let it become part of your worship, even if you’re still waiting on the breakthrough.
Final Thoughts: Gratitude Is a Weapon, Not a Weakness
Gratitude doesn’t ignore reality—it transforms it. It’s not passive—it’s powerful. It helps us lift our eyes above the chaos and fix them on the One who never changes.
When you choose gratitude in the middle of pain, confusion, or waiting, you are declaring:
“My God is still good. My God is still faithful. My story isn’t over.”
So today, even if it’s hard, say it anyway:
“Thank You, Lord.”
Because gratitude in the dark is more than a prayer—it’s a declaration of unshakable trust.
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