During Trials: Gratitude When The Struggle Is Real
The Practice of Gratitude Day 2
Trials come in all shapes and sizes—from the inconvenience of a broken coffee maker on a Monday morning to life-altering grief, health battles, or financial hardship. Our instinct during these moments is usually not gratitude! Yet, the Bible calls us to approach trials with a radically different perspective.
In James 1:2-3, James encourages, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Joy in trials? Surely, James wasn’t serious—or perhaps he just knew something we often miss: our struggles are an invitation to lean deeper into God’s presence and faithfulness.
There’s a fascinating pattern in Scripture that connects suffering with transformation. Think about the apostle Paul, who wrote from prison, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). This wasn’t the kind of rejoicing that glosses over hardship; it’s a defiant, resilient joy that stands firm in the face of difficulty. Paul’s gratitude wasn’t for his chains but for the God who would be faithful in spite of them.
Consider a humorous yet relatable example: life feels smoother when your phone has a full battery, your car’s running, and your favorite coffee shop is open. But let one of those fail—dead phone, car trouble, no coffee—and suddenly, gratitude feels like a chore. Yet these “little trials” are often where we can first practice choosing gratitude despite circumstances, thanking God not for the breakdown but for His unchanging faithfulness.
Gratitude during trials is a muscle we grow through use. Each trial, big or small, is an opportunity to exercise our trust in God. Remembering His goodness in the past can strengthen our gratitude in the present. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” In every trial, God is close. Gratitude in spite of difficulty reminds us that while our pain is real, so is His presence.
When trials arise, try this: instead of rushing to ask God, “Why me?” ask Him to show you something of His goodness in the midst. Sometimes, it’s as small as a friend who checks in, a sunrise that reminds us of new mercies, or a moment of peace amid chaos. Each of these is a reminder that God has not left us, even when life feels overwhelming.
Today, let’s thank Him, not because trials are easy, but because He is near. We can be grateful for the resilience He’s building in us, knowing that He wastes nothing—not even our hardest moments. Our gratitude becomes a defiant anthem of trust, a declaration that He is faithful, especially in the struggle.
