“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colossians 3:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17

He Will Rescue You

When you feel alone and hopeless and there’s no one who seems to care,

When you can’t relax and close your eyes, because the darkness holds only nightmares,

When your rope ended weeks ago and you’re dangling above the abyss,

Don’t give in to hopelessness, for God has a way out of this.

If rent is due and your cupboards bare,

And the road in front of you ends,

If  you’re staring over the cliff with a heart and mind full of dread,

If you’re thinking maybe you should jump,
For you just don’t see the path out.
Stop to remember, it’s not over,
Until God says you’re down for the count.

So say a prayer for discernment, And then examine your thoughts.

Who is whispering in your ear And whose voice might you have blocked?

 The enemy’s lies poison your mind. God’s truth nurtures your soul.

The enemy’s hate seeks to diminish you. While God’s love seeks to make you whole.

Stop leaning on your own understanding. Stop following the voice in your head.

Begin leaning on God’s  promises; meditate on His Word, instead.

And if you find yourself in danger, cry out for Jesus to  save you.

Then, raise your voice to praise Him. I promise He’ll come to your rescue.

©Linda Troxell

Gratitude in The Storm

Gratitude in moments of trial and hopelessness is not denial—it’s an act of defiance. It’s the soul whispering to God, “I trust You anyway.”
It’s standing in the middle of a storm with uplifted hands, declaring, “Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings.” Giving thanks in pain says, “My circumstances may not be good, but You, God, are still good.”
Our gratitude doesn’t depend on what happens to us—it rests on who God is. Gratitude in times of joy is important because it reminds us that every good thing comes from Him (James 1:17). Yet we are also called to praise Him in the storm as much as in the calm. Speaking praise when our emotions resist it declares that our souls are not for sale and reminds the enemy that our hearts are anchored in redemption’s truth.
This kind of gratitude does not ignore hardship or pretend fear isn’t real. Instead, it steadies our spirits in truth before our feelings can shape our day (Philippians 4:6–7). It prepares us to offer the entire day as a gift to God—to do everything in His name and for His glory (Colossians 3:17).
When you find yourself in a difficult season, when gratitude feels forced and prayer feels impossible, that is the moment to raise your voice and proclaim thanksgiving loudly. Praise God for His blessings—especially then—for that’s when gratitude becomes an act of victory.

Reflection Question:
🌿 What’s one area of your life right now where you can choose gratitude, even before the storm passes?

Let’s Pray:

Lord You are faitful in every season, even when we can’t see You or hear you. But when we are in the middle of a storm and  we can’t  feel You with us, we often think You have left us alone. At thise times  we forget to be grateful.
Lord, teach us to be grateful in every season.
Help us  see Your goodness even in hardship,
and let our gratitude be a light that defies the darkness. It is in Your holy name, Jesus, we pray.  Amen
Amen.