It is easy to become absorbed with negative circumstances. News accounts bombard us daily with reports of hardship and human suffering. However, we are responsible for our own emotions and individual outlooks on life. Also, we do not have to abide in a state of troubledness because of what we perceive, see, or hear. Remember, Jesus told us not to let our hearts to be troubled (John 14:1). Therefore, we can choose to maintain an attitude of gratitude. By cultivating thankfulness, we turn on a force in our lives that is more powerful than we can imagine!

We rise above the agitations of life when we give thanks. In the last days, things will happen that will disturb the composure of many. However, we must maintain our peace. We must free ourselves from fear, moral conflicts, and agitating passions. “And so, dear friends … make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (2 Peter 3:14, New Living Translation).

Conversely, negative emotions are designed to move us and our lives in destructive directions. And Satan uses fear like a door. Therefore, we must become skillful in protecting our peace, even in the midst of turmoil. One way to rise above life’s turbulence is to give thanks for what is good.

But you must renew your mind. Your soul, or your mind, still contains sin residue from your old nature, the one you had before you got saved. Your way of thinking was trained by your former self. The first thing a person should do after becoming born again is renew his or her mind. This is an ongoing process—one that must be done daily by meditating upon the Word of God! It is also how you effectively put on the new man, which the Bible talks about in Ephesians 4:23, 24: “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Though you may have to search hard for it, good can always be found—be it big, small or minuscule. Philippians 4:8 says, “Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” For instance, you may not have the car you want, but praise God for the transportation you do have, and for the ability to travel to and from work. Rejoice because you even have a job. Thank God that you have legs, and that they are functional!

Also, know that a heart of gratitude will anchor your soul, allowing you to see your way out of distress. However, when the pressure is on, giving thanks is far from what the carnal man longs to do. In this case, thankfulness becomes a sacrifice, and our God is known to hover over a sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” By God, we are supernaturally enabled to offer thanksgiving at all times for what is good, regardless of the situation or the feelings of the flesh.

In fact, grumbling and complaining will place you in a mindset of darkness and confusion. Yet, to offer continuous thanksgiving is a path to light and understanding. Also, praising and thanking God ushers you into His presence. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4, NIV). Maintaining a perpetual state of thankfulness keeps you aligned with the Father.

Now a thankful or grateful person is a humble person, and with humility, one is able to receive grace. Grace is God’s supernatural ability to do anything! James 4:6 says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Armed with God’s empowerment, thankfulness now becomes a force—a force to bless you with multiplication and increase! Continually giving God thanks for what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, enlarges your capacity to receive. It positions you to experience more of God’s blessedness!

So, let us cultivate a lifestyle of thanksgiving. Determine to promptly give God thanks for His goodness—no matter what! “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP). And by thankfully remaining in God’s will, you will experience the ultimate for your life. Like the writer in Psalms knows, “It is good to give thanks!”