5 People in the Bible Who Showed Gratitude in Trying Times

1. Ruth

Ruth’s story is one of great loss but determination to keep doing the right thing even when the situation appears to be very dim. The Book of Ruth begins with the loss of not only Ruth’s husband but the loss of her brother-in-law and father-in-law, all in a short period. Grief-stricken Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, dismisses her daughters-in-law to hopefully find new lives back in their father’s homes. Although it would have been logical and likely the easiest path, Ruth feels convicted to stay with Naomi and care for her, no matter what the future may bring. Ruth and Naomi travel to Naomi’s hometown, where Ruth’s character is displayed in even greater depth. Ruth gleans from the fields of the leftovers of wealthy landowners, and it is there that she meets her future husband, Boaz. She finds favor with him and senses a potential for something more than friendly neighbors. In nearly every instance we see Ruth in action, she does not fall prey to feeling desperate or in despair; instead, she is filled with gratitude for what she is given and what she already has. 

Ruth 2:10 shares, “At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Ruth is not prideful or entitled; her humility is apparent not only here but later as she approaches Boaz to see if he would be interested in marrying her. Ruth reminds us that no matter what life brings us, we can always keep a heart stature of being thankful for what we have, great or small, and that doing the right thing is always the right choice. 

2. Hannah

Another great woman in the Bible who showed gratitude in a difficult season was Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Hannah desperately wanted a child, and she committed to the Lord that if she was to be given a son, she would give him back to the Lord so that the child may grow to be a servant to the Lord in the Temple. The Lord gave Hannah the son she asked for, and in return, Hannah kept her promise to God. It would be easy to assume it must have been difficult and trying for Hannah to surrender the child she had prayed so desperately for, especially after loving him for some time as he required nursing, but Hannah took on a spirit of praise to God instead of a spirit of resentment. 

In 1 Samuel 2, we see her praise God in song and worship, “Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high.” Hannah shows us that even when the circumstances have the potential to be full of heartache, we can be thankful for what God has done for us, and we can praise Him for His faithfulness to us. Samuel would grow to be a noble prophet of the Lord and one of the greatest men to ever live, a true and genuine servant of the Lord, and his story began with a mother who praised the Lord. 

Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez

3. Jesus

Jesus, more than anyone, lived in action what it meant to show gratitude even in the worst circumstances. He did so even in small ones, too. In the story with the loaves and fishes, there is a clear problem as thousands of men, women, and children had come to see Jesus speak, but only five loaves and two fish were available for a meal in total. Matthew 18 tells us, “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” 

In this story, Jesus thanks God ahead of time because He knew that His Father would provide even if the situation appeared to have no viable solution. In the same way, we must remember that we are to thank God ahead of Him as we do not seek to find answers by our own understanding, but in every way, look to God and thank Him and allow Him to direct us and to provide.

4. Mary

Much like the story of Hannah, another mother found a heart of praise and gratitude even during circumstances that were trying. In biblical times, an unwed mother faced judgment, ridicule, and the potential for stoning and death for becoming pregnant out of marriage. Mary was engaged, but when an Angel of the Lord came to Mary to tell her she was the one chosen to carry the Savior of the world with honor came great responsibility. Instead of taking on a mindset of fear, worry, and anxiety of how others would perceive her, or what Joseph would do, Mary chose to glorify God. 

We are shown in Luke 1:48 by her song, 

“And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” 

Mary saw the honor and gift it was that she would receive such favor from the Lord. Although that favor was accompanied by several trying circumstances, she chose to worship God and lean upon Him for what was ahead rather than caving into worry. How can we be like Mary and look at where God has asked us to go and worship Him for the favor it is to do such things for Him rather than worry? How can we see that something is not “happening to us” but rather “happening for something greater than we could ask for or imagine!”? 

5. David

David was the man after God’s heart, and his life was one of miracles but also enormously testing times. David was anointed king as a teenager, but he would not take the throne until nearly twenty years later because another man, Saul, sat as king. Saul became aware that David was to be king, and for most of the time when David awaited the time to become king, he was pursued, hunted, and terrorized by Saul. Despite all of this and other trying times, David could find solace in the Lord and offer gratitude to Him. Psalm 27 is a clear reflection of this and one of great encouragement to us in our own struggles: 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” 

Just as David found his confidence in God and offered Him praise, we can as well, no matter the situation. 

Life will bring trying times, but we are always left with the choice of gratitude or bitter feelings. We can draw encouragement from those who have navigated through hard times before and, like them, choose to praise God, keep a good attitude of gratitude, and see that even if it does not make sense now, one day, it will. (John 13:7).