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Choosing Thankfulness Even When Life Feels Uncertain; What I’m Learning About Gratitude in Trying Seasons
Last updated on January 30th, 2026 at 05:54 pm
There are days I move so quickly through life that I forget to notice what God is doing right here… today.
Days where I’m focused on what hasn’t happened yet… the unanswered prayers… the things I wish I understood by now.
And without realizing it, I start living in the future instead of the present.
But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 gently pulls me back:
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I think intentional gratitude shifts my perspective…
I’m not pretending everything’s fine…
But my focus shifts to God’s faithfulness in every season.
Learning to Pause and Notice
I used to think praise somehow had to come after things made sense.
After my prayers were answered.
After the hard parts were over.
But Psalm 107:1 says:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Not “His love will endure once things get better.”
His love endures now.
And when I slow down… I see it.
In small mercies I once rushed past.
In moments of strength I didn’t expect.
In the little reminders that I’m not waiting alone.
Gratitude doesn’t erase the weight of the in-between…
But it softens things.
It steadies my heart.
It reminds me that God hasn’t forgotten me.
Sometimes praise looks like lifted hands.
But many days?
It simply looks like noticing.
Choosing Praise in the Middle of the Unknown
Psalm 34:1 has been lingering in my mind:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
“All times” includes the confusing seasons.
The waiting seasons.
The seasons that feel like detours.
Praise doesn’t mean I love every part of the story I’m in.
It just means I’m choosing to trust the One who is in it with me.
There were days when praising God felt hard…
When my prayers didn’t seem to work…
Or when everything felt slow and uncertain.
But looking back, I see it now:
He was still carrying me.
Still working.
Still holding everything together with care.
Why Praise Matters for the Heart
Over time, I’ve found that gratitude and praise is powerful:
It loosens the grip of anxiety…
It calms my fears and worries…
It makes room for joy I didn’t have before.
Because… praise helps me remember who God is.
Ever present.
And always faithful.
Gratitude turns my eyes from what’s missing to what God’s already doing.
Praise lifts my heart out of weariness and hopelessness.
That’s something I need… and maybe you do too.
A Visual Reminder for the Journey
This reflection is the heart behind my growing Praise & Thanksgiving collection – a series of hand-drawn and hand-lettered Scripture pieces based on Bible verses like Psalm 34:1, Psalm 107:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and faith quotes.
Each artwork is created as a reminder to pause, notice, and rest in God’s goodness… even in the middle of the waiting.
May they bring our hearts back to His truth when things feel heavy or life feels uncertain.
Physical Art Prints
Digital Art Prints
Closing Reflection
If you’re in a season of praying, waiting, or hoping…
I hope you remember this:
You don’t have to wait for everything to fall into place before you give thanks.
You can come to God exactly as you are, with everything you’re carrying, and still find reasons to praise.
He’s near.
He’s faithful.
And He hasn’t stopped working in your life.
May your heart find rest in the simple, steady truth: God’s worthy of our praise in every season…
And He’s with you in every moment. 💓
– Nicole
