7 Ways to Give Thanks When Thanksgiving Is a Dark Time

1. Remember God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 100:4-5 encourages you to worship God by expressing gratitude: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good, and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Even in the darkest times, you can find solace by remembering God’s faithfulness in your life. Reflect on how God has answered your prayers in the past. What are some of the specific ways that God has provided for you generously, guided you with wisdom and inspiration, encouraged you with love, and done much more to help you overcome significant challenges? Trust that God remains faithful and will help you through this difficult season in your life. You can rely on God’s faithfulness to be unwavering, no matter what. 2 Timothy 2:13 says about God: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” Even if you walk away from God, God will still be there for you, loving you unconditionally and available to help you when you reach out to him. Take time to journal or reflect on past experiences where God came through for you. Recall moments of answered prayers, times of provision, and instances when he guided you through difficult circumstances. These reflections can strengthen your faith and serve as a source of gratitude.

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2. Seek God’s presence in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 urges you: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In times of darkness, prayer becomes a lifeline to God’s comforting presence. Pour out your heart to God through prayer. Feel free to pray about every situation that concerns you. No situation is too small for God to care about, and no situation is too large for God to be able to help you. As you pray about everything, give thanks to God, trusting that God will answer you. Then, you’ll experience true peace of mind. Find comfort in God’s presence with you throughout each day and night. God assures you in Joshua 1:9: “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Pour out your heart honestly before him, sharing your worries and doubts and asking for what you need. As you lay your burdens before God, remember to thank him for his loving care and his many promises to you. The more you do so, the more you’ll notice how God is working in your life. 

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3. Practice gratitude daily.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible says that God’s will is for you to give thanks in all circumstances: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” While it may be challenging to find reasons to be thankful in the midst of darkness, make a conscious effort to count your blessings every day. Even small moments of grace and beauty can be reasons to offer thanks. Look for the wonder of God’s work around you, and celebrate it whenever you discover it. Gratitude is a discipline that you can cultivate daily, even in the face of adversity. Start or end each day with a prayer acknowledging the blessings that you are thankful for – both big and small blessings. Even during dark circumstances, there are often moments of love and inspiration that deserve recognition. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you focus on these positive aspects of life. As you keep track of your blessings, you’ll discover ways in which God is accomplishing good purposes for you even while you’re going through bad circumstances. 

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4. Lean on a community of fellow believers.

Galatians 6:2 exhorts you to: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Surround yourself with caring, trustworthy believers. Share your struggles and joys with your brothers and sisters in Christ who can uplift you and help you find reasons to give thanks. Sharing your burdens with a supportive Christian community is vital during tough times. Don’t hesitate to open up to people who can provide emotional and spiritual support as you go through a dark time. Commit to being there for them when they need support, as well. As you care for each other during difficult circumstances, you’ll find reasons to give thanks. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 describes the value of people supporting each other – and especially doing so while trusting God together: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” 

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5. Focus on an eternal perspective.

Remember that your trials on earth are temporary, and your hope lies in eternity with God. As 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 points out: “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” This perspective can provide comfort and inspire thanksgiving even in your darkest moments. Jesus promises in John 16:33 that he will help you overcome any challenges you face living in this fallen world: “… in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In the darkness, it’s important to keep in mind that your challenges are only temporary, and one day your troubles will end, and you will spend eternity with God. Revelation 21:4 reveals that in heaven, God will: “… wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This perspective can shift your focus from your current difficulties to the greater glory that lies ahead for you. Trust that God is using your current struggles to strengthen your faith for the future. 

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6. Serve others.

By helping people in need, you shift the focus away from your own troubles and discover the joy of selfless giving. Practicing intentional kindness will give you opportunities to make a positive impact, even in difficult circumstances. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says: “… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Engaging in acts of service to others, even when you’re facing hardship yourself, can be a transformative experience. You can find a renewed sense of purpose by doing so – which will help you notice all the blessings that God is pouring into your life, even during challenging times. You will also experience additional blessings as God thanks you for serving others. As Proverbs 19:17 says: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

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7. Trust God’s sovereignty.

Trust in God’s plan, even when it’s hard to understand because God can use even the darkest moments for your ultimate good. Romans 8:28 declares: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Trusting in God's sovereignty means acknowledging God’s ultimate control over all situations in your life – including the dark times. While you may not understand the purpose behind your struggles, choose to believe that God is working for your ultimate good, and you’ll eventually discover why God allowed you to go through dark situations. This trust can be a source of comfort and gratitude, knowing that God is orchestrating a good plan beyond your comprehension. You can look forward to when, in God’s timing, that plan will become clear to you. Then you can celebrate the truth of Psalm 71:16: “I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.”

Conclusion

During a dark time, giving thanks may seem like an impossible task. However, you have the assurance that God is with you at all times – including the most challenging times. Giving thanks during difficult seasons is not about denying the challenges you face, but about finding a deeper connection with God in the midst of them. By seeking God this Thanksgiving and asking him for help, you can find reasons to give thanks even when Thanksgiving is a dark time. So, trust God to shine his light into the darkness of your circumstances. You can experience hope and a stronger faith when you do so.

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