“A Foundation of Gratitude” 

November 26,2025 Daily Devotional: “A Foundation of Gratitude”  1 Thessalonians 5:18  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Today, the calendar page turns near to the last few days for the year 2025, perhaps marking a familiar routine for many of us. But before the rush begins, let’s pause and consider the simple, powerful command from Paul: "Give thanks in allcircumstances." God doesn't ask us to be grateful for the difficult, painful, or challenging circumstances in our lives. Instead, He calls us to find the foundation of gratitude within those circumstances. When the day feels heavy, the circumstance might be a challenging work project, a nagging worry, or a simple feeling of weariness. It can feel impossible to be thankful. But even here, we can find grace: If you are facing a struggle, You can be thankful for the strength you are drawing on, and for the character being forged in the fire. I f you are feeling overwhelmed, You can be thankful for the breath in your lungs, for the comfort of a warm beverage, or for the promise of a new start tomorrow. If you are feeling lonely, You can be thankful for the memory of love, and for the possibility of connection that still exists. Gratitude is not a feeling we wait for, it is a practice we commit to. It’s an act of faith that shifts our focus from what is lacking or painful to the goodness of God that remains constant. This practice, Paul assures us, is God’s will for us, it aligns our hearts with His perspective, grounding us in peace regardless of the changing tides. Take just three moments today, in the morning, noon, and evening. Write down one thing you are truly thankful for, specifically a gratitude that is present in whatever circumstance you find yourself in at that moment.