Reclaiming Thanksgiving: Cultivating Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship

Blog by Alan Fadling

The past few years have been filled with difficulty and uncertainty for many of us. It’s tempting to look back and see only the loss, stress, and scarcity we’ve experienced. But what if, especially in such seasons, we need to remind ourselves of the deeper reality of God’s present goodness? This Thanksgiving, what if we paused to see through the lens of gratitude instead of scarcity?

Psalm 103:1-5 offers us a timely and transformative perspective. In these verses, David models what it looks like to cultivate a grateful heart, even when life is hard. He begins by speaking directly to his own soul: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” David calls himself to remember, to linger, and to let the truth of God’s goodness penetrate every part of his being.

This passage is more than just a list of spiritual benefits; it’s a litany of reasons to choose gratitude, no matter the circumstances. David’s reminder to “forget not all his benefits” hints at how easy it is to lose track of what God has already done and is continuing to do in our lives. David counters this forgetfulness by rehearsing the many ways God is good: he forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, and renews. Each phrase is a gift worth recalling in the light of prayerful reflection.

As Christian leaders, we often focus on what’s broken and needs fixing—whether in our congregations, our companies, our communities, or our personal lives. But David invites us to pause and shift our focus to God’s goodness. Thanksgiving is not about denying the reality of hardship; it’s about remembering that hardship is not the only reality. God’s presence, love, and mercy are just as real—maybe even more real—in times of struggle.

As you enter this Thanksgiving season, take time to linger in the richness of these verses. Let them be more than words on a page. Allow them to shape your heart’s posture, moving you from weariness to worship. Start by considering the benefits David lists: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, satisfaction, and renewal. How have you experienced these in your life, even in recent months?

When we cultivate the discipline of gratitude, we begin to see God’s hand more clearly in our past and present. Praise becomes a natural overflow when we’re captured by the beauty of his benefits. We’re reminded that no matter what challenges we face, God is at work—healing, restoring, and renewing us.

This Thanksgiving, instead of getting caught up in what has been hard, let’s choose to remember how God has been good. Let’s remember the benefits we’ve received and continue to receive. Like David, let’s talk to our own souls, reminding them to “forget not all his benefits” and allowing the goodness of God to be our focus. This is the kind of thanksgiving that fosters deep trust and unhurried joy.

Reflection Questions: 

1. Which of God’s benefits in Psalm 103:1-5 resonates most deeply with you in this season? Why?
2. How can you practice gratitude for these benefits in a tangible way this Thanksgiving?