"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Habits are extremely hard to form but easy to break. Moodiness had set in as I had become quite discontented with life. I have been blind for many years, but lately I have felt utterly trapped by my limitations. It began with my new kitchen appliances, the ones I insisted on buying even though my husband wanted me to buy the ones with the buttons you press either up or down. No, I wanted the features on the ones with the keypads.
We discovered that the only way I could operate the microwave and range was through my Alexa Echo device once they were installed. It worked perfectly for a couple of months. Then one by one, Alexa stopped working on demand. One day, I pulled cold pizza from the microwave to discover that even though the microwave ran for forty-five seconds, it used no heat, at least not when Alexa was running things.
I began finding other things around the house that proved problematic for me. One evening, I cooked spaghetti, and as I drained it into the colander, I found the spaghetti in the sink, not in the colander. I quickly scooped it up, tossed it back in the pot, and added the sauce. The sink was fairly clean, and I admitted my actions to my husband one week later. I used to make a point to thank God for five to ten different things daily. At some point, life became busy, and that habit was broken, but now it is a wonderful time to resume it. Thankfulness and discontentment cannot coexist.
The apostle Paul tells us in our focal verses that it is God’s will for us to be thankful. The Bible doesn’t tell us to be thankful for everything, but to be thankful in everything. There’s a difference. I don’t have to be thankful that my microwave is difficult to use, but I can be thankful I have a microwave and range.
We don’t have to be thankful for the suffering we endure, but we can thank God for the people who help us navigate through difficult seasons. We don’t have to be thankful for the trials we traverse, but we can be thankful that we are alive. We can be thankful for family, health, and our homes. Most of all, we should be grateful because it is God’s will. He also wants us to rejoice and remain constant in prayer. That doesn’t mean we keep our heads bowed and our eyes closed all the time. God wants us to perceive everything in life with a prayerful attitude.
When something happens, it should bring praise to our lips or a quick request to God. That’s praying without ceasing. Let’s not forget to always rejoice. Just like gratitude, joy isn’t expressed for our troubles, but how God will work them out for good. I don’t know about you, my friend, but I have a lot of work to do, and it’s going to take time. As I pray, I need to ask the Lord to help me look back at the past twenty-four hours. Where should I have rejoiced? Did I pray for the lady at the check-out? Have I expressed an attitude of thankfulness? How can I do better tomorrow? I look forward to doing this because a thankful heart that rejoices is not easily disturbed or discouraged. I have found that in the lowest moments of my life, thankfulness has lifted me up out of a pit of despair. It makes us see how many things are right and not wrong. It’s like looking at the glass half full rather than half empty.
- How can you start a routine of thankfulness? You might want to journal your thoughts or set aside some time for a moment of thanksgiving.
- How can you walk in a manner that exemplifies gratitude? Think about how it will not only affect you, but it will also affect others when they see gratitude and joy on your face.
Let's pray ...
Heavenly Father,
I haven’t done well in the areas of gratitude and rejoicing. I know it is Your will, and I need Your help to develop these habits. I thank You for loving and saving me.
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Feel like digging a little deeper? Here is a wonderful resource to meet you right where you are. 5 Comforting Psalms for When We Worry: A Guided Reflection Journal
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Mitchell McCleary
Carolyn Dale Newell is a best-selling author and certified speaker. She knows the bitter taste of suffering from blindness to chronic pain. Her passion is to encourage women to keep their eyes on Jesus and not their circumstances in her devotional, Embers of Endurance: Rising Above Chronic Pain and Illness. You can connect with Carolyn on her website and her women’s ministry group on Facebook.
Related Resource: The Blind Spots Hurting Your Relationships
In this episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra Fileta for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us don’t realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others.
Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we impact the people we love. Whether you’re dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper connection.
If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should—or how to become a healthier version of yourself—this conversation is for you. Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Saturday, 31 October 2026.
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