Gratitude Over Grumbling: How to Honor God When Life Isn’t Perfect

Life isn’t always picture-perfect, especially during the holidays. Between school stress, family drama, and that one relative who pushes your buttons, it’s easy to fall into grumbling. But as Christians, we’re called to do things differently. We can choose gratitude—even when it’s hard.

Here’s why it matters and how you can live it out.

Why Gratitude Matters

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice he doesn’t say, “Give thanks for ALL circumstances.” Instead, it’s “Give thanks IN all circumstances.” Even when things aren’t going our way—or when conversations around the dinner table turn tense—there’s still something to thank God for. Gratitude shifts our focus from our struggles to God’s goodness. It reminds us that even in the mess, God is working for our good (Romans 8:28). It’s not about ignoring problems or pretending everything is fine. Instead, it’s about trusting that God’s plan is bigger than what we see.

The Danger of Grumbling

Grumbling can feel natural, especially when things don’t go as planned. The Israelites in Exodus 16 grumbled about their present situation, forgetting what God had already done. Grumbling blinds us to God’s blessings and pulls us away from joy. It’s a way of saying, “God, what You’ve given isn’t enough.” YIKES!

Dealing with That Annoying Relative or Friend

How do you handle someone who gets under your skin?

Here are a few tips to honor God:

• Pray for Them: Ask God to help you see them as He does.
• Respond with Grace: Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.”
• Focus on the Positive: Find something to appreciate about them.
• Set Boundaries When Needed: Take a step back while showing respect.

Choosing Gratitude Over Grumbling

Here are practical ways to practice gratitude:

1. Start Your Day with Thanks: Thank God for small blessings, even before the chaos begins.
2. Pray Honestly, but End with Praise: It’s okay to express frustration, but finish with gratitude.
3. Choose Peace in Conversations: Respond with love instead of reacting in anger.
4. Look for God in the Little Things: Notice small blessings, like a favorite meal or a funny memory.
5. Encourage Someone Else: Acts of kindness can change your perspective.

Trusting God When It’s Hard

Gratitude isn’t about denying challenges—it’s about trusting God through them. Even in the mess, God is at work, teaching us patience, humility, and grace.

This Thanksgiving (and beyond), let’s choose gratitude over grumbling. Not because life is perfect, but because God’s goodness never fails and is always worthy of our praise.

What’s one thing you’re grateful for today? Share it with someone, write it down, or take it to God in prayer. Then take it one step further—post it on social media and use the hashtag #GratitudeChallenge to inspire others to do the same.

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice that transforms how we see our circumstances and how we reflect Christ to others. Let’s spread thankfulness and reflect Christ to the world! You’ve got this!