One of the hardest times to give thanks is in the valley. It’s in those seasons when life falls apart, when loss is real, when grief hangs heavy. Those are the moments when I don’t feel like lifting my hands or opening my mouth in thanksgiving. But those are also the moments when thanksgiving becomes the most powerful offering we can bring.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Notice that it doesn’t say every circumstance is God’s will for us. It says that in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, His will is for us to give thanks.
That means thanksgiving isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about declaring: God is still good, even here.
The Battle Starts in the Mind
When we walk through trials, the real battle often begins in our thoughts. What do I believe about God when I suffer? Do I believe He has abandoned me, or do I believe He is still near?
I think about it like a soldier going through bootcamp. Training is hard. The drill sergeant pushes, corrects, and disciplines—not to harm but to prepare. When that same soldier later faces battle, he can look back with gratitude for the training that gave him endurance.
Our valleys often feel like that training ground. They shape us to see God in every circumstance, so when the floor drops out from under us, we can still say, “I know who He is. I can thank Him even now.”
A Sacrifice that Invites His Presence
Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. That means thanksgiving and praise literally create a place for His presence to dwell in our valleys. When I choose to thank Him—not for my brokenness but in my brokenness—I’m inviting Him into it.
That’s why thanksgiving matters in the valley. It’s not denial. It’s declaration. It’s saying, “Lord, even here, I believe You are still who You say You are.”
The Gift We Can Give Back
Think about it—if someone buys your lunch, you’ll probably say thank you. If someone pays off your mortgage, you’ll thank them with a whole different level of gratitude. The depth of our thanksgiving should match the value of the gift. And what greater gift has ever been given than salvation in Christ?
The God who made heaven and earth, who sent His Son to die for us, who declared our worth at the cross—what could we possibly give Him in return?
Matthew 22:37-38 tells us what He desires:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
All He asks us of us is to keep a good opinion of Him, so we can continue to trust Him and love Him with all of our hearts. One of His greatest gifts to us is free will. And one of the greatest gifts we can give back is using that will to offer Him thanksgiving—no matter the circumstance.
The Only Opportunity We’ll Get
One day, every tear will be wiped away. We won’t carry grief. We won’t walk through loss. We won’t know the weight of brokenness anymore. And because of that, we will never again have the opportunity to look devastation in the face and still lift our thanks and worship to God.
Don’t waste your valleys. As fleeting as this life is, let every storm be a chance to honor Him with the sacrifice of thanksgiving He is so worthy of.
Grace Waves 