5-Day Devotional - Day Two

Any Way You Slice It… Be Thankful: Part One Pastor Paul Stieb Day 2: Grateful In Everything, Not For Everything Devotional There's a crucial difference between being thankful in everything and being thankful for everything. God doesn't expect us to thank Him for tragedy, injustice, or pain. He calls us to maintain a grateful heart while we're walking through difficult seasons. Think about it this way: when you're caught in a storm, you don't thank the storm for soaking you, but you can be grateful for the umbrella, shelter, or friend who walks alongside you. We can be thankful for God's presence, promises, and faithfulness, even when we can't understand why we're going through what we're experiencing. This perspective transforms how we handle challenges. Instead of allowing circumstances to dictate our spiritual temperature, we learn to find God's goodness in the mess. Maybe you're facing financial pressure, health concerns, or relationship struggles. You don't have to be thankful for these problems, but you can be grateful that God is with you. When we practice gratitude, we're not denying reality. We're choosing to focus on what remains true about God. His love doesn't change. His power isn't diminished. His plans for us haven't been cancelled. This kind of gratitude becomes a lifeline during tough times. It keeps our hearts soft toward God and prevents bitterness from taking root. It reminds us that our current chapter isn't the end of our story. Bible Verse “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16 Reflection Question What current challenge are you facing where you could practice being grateful in the situation rather than for the situation? What aspects of God's character can you thank Him for, even in this difficulty? Quote “In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 Prayer Lord, help me distinguish between what I should be thankful for and what I can be thankful in. Give me wisdom to find Your goodness, even in challenging circumstances. Help me keep my heart grateful for who You are. In Jesus’s name, amen.