It is early morning, and the faint sound of the coffee grinder draws me into a new day until I am fully awakened. I open my eyes and lie there quietly, taking the time to get my bearings. Slowly, I remember what day it is and what I have scheduled, and then the concerns and burdens of the day make their way into my thoughts and settle in my stomach, forming that all-too-familiar knot that has been present for as long as I can remember.
The invisible burden of anxiety.
That morning, when the weight inside me felt particularly heavy, I did what I have learned to do. I sat up, reached for my Bible and journal, and opened to Scripture. The very first verse my eyes landed on was this:
“ The one who offers Thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me…” Psalm 50:23(ESV)
A sacrifice of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not easy; it does not come naturally, and it costs us something. That morning, I whispered a prayer through tight shoulders and a tense stomach: “Okay Lord, I’m going to choose to thank You right here, amidst the anxiety.”
Ever since that day, I have begun my mornings with what Scripture calls a sacrifice of thanksgiving. I take the time to write a prayer in my journal, thanking God for all the things I have to be thankful for. A thanksgiving that flows not from ideal circumstances but from trust in a faithful God.
When Thanksgiving Feels Like a Battle:
There is thankfulness and praise that flows freely. The kind that rises during a worship time at church, when we are celebrating, feeling joy, relief, or experiencing an answer to prayer. And then there are times when it is not so easy and does not come naturally, because it is not based on feelings, and it is costly. It confronts the lies of fear. It challenges the power of anxiety. It refuses to bow to feelings. It is worship born from weakness, and God calls that worship precious.
We see that David understood this struggle when he wrote in Psalm 42:5, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.” Psalm 42:5. He was not feeling hopeful; he was choosing hope. He was not feeling joyful; he was commanding his soul to praise.
This is what it means to offer God a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving: worship in the waiting, gratitude in the grieving, faith in the fog. When our heart resists, praise becomes warfare because anxiety cannot thrive where there is worship.
When Thanksgiving and Tears Coexist.
Some of the most profound praise that we read in the Bible flows from places of pain.
• Paul praised while chained in prison
• Job worshiped while grieving everything he’d lost
• Jesus sang a hymn the night He was betrayed
Praise and thanksgiving are not denial; it is defiance! It is a declaration that God remains worthy, even when life is complicated. It says: “I trust You, God. You have been faithful in the past, and I know you will continue to be faithful.”
Anxiety is not the Final Word.
In my experience with anxiety, it does not just magically go away when I read some scripture or spend time in prayer. Sometimes it wakes up with me, sometimes it goes to bed with me, and it always shows up uninvited! But here is the truth about anxiety: God meets us in the middle of the battle, not after we have somehow conquered its paralyzing effects. God does not say, “When your anxiety is gone, then I will comfort you.” He says, “Cast all your anxieties on Me because I care for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. Then He lovingly walks with you as you choose to put one foot in front of the other. He comforts you as you offer your sacrifice of praise.
And He collects every offering of trust like treasure.
Praise and Thanksgiving Declares Who Is Really in Charge.
Anxiety thrives on the illusion of control. Praise reminds us we are not the ones holding the universe together, and thank God for that. When we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, we fix our eyes on what is unshakeable and remember who is truly in control of our story. It dethrones fear, disarms doubt, proclaims truth louder than lies, and sometimes, praise says, “God, you are good, even though life is so hard.”
A Practice for Peace.
Since that morning, I have developed a consistent habit: I get up and grab a cup of coffee. Then I climb back into bed, open my journal, and write out my prayers that offer thanksgiving and praise. Not because life is easy. Not because the knot is gone. But because God is worthy and God is near. Sometimes I feel like it, sometimes I do not, and sometimes it is accompanied by tears. But it is always an act of worship.
Your praise, especially the painful kind, is shaping you. But it is also shaping the generations watching you. Children and grandchildren observe as we walk through uncertainty, hold onto hope, and as we worship when life is hard. Your sacrifice of praise is not just a choice; it is a living testimony, and it models to others how to persevere in your faith.
Some Scripture to Strengthen You.
Here are some promises to speak aloud when anxiety tries to win:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” Isaiah 26:3
Let His Word become the anchor that steadies you.
A Prayer of Sacrificial Praise:
Lord, today I offer You a sacrifice of praise. Not because my circumstances are simple or because fear has no voice, but because You are worthy. Thank you that Your love is constant, Your presence is steady, and Your promises are true. Teach my heart to praise You in the middle of this battle with anxiety. Teach my soul to trust You when anxiety tries to take over. Anchor my thoughts in truth. Fill my mouth with thanksgiving. And remind me that You are with me in every breath, every moment, every burden. I praise You right here, right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection and the Spiritual Discipline of Journaling.
What anxieties do you wake up to each morning? Write about one specific burden and offer it to God in prayer.
What would it look like for you to begin each day with a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise?
Which Scripture brings peace to you today? Please write it down and meditate on it.
A Final Word of Encouragement:
If you woke up with anxiety today but chose praise anyway, you are walking in victory. Your worship is seen. Your faith is genuine. Your Father is with you. And every sacrifice of praise you offer becomes a step toward peace, a declaration of trust, and a victory over fear.
You are not alone, and anxiety is not your story’s ending. God is.
Gina Smith is a wife of 37 years, mother of two, and grandmother of three. She is a writer and author, having written her first published book during her empty-nest years. She has a passion for coming alongside the younger generation to encourage them, strengthen them in Their Faith, and learn from them. You can find Gina at her website, www.ginalsmith.com, and her book, Everyday Prayers for Joy, can be found at any bookstore.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Bohdan Bevz
