Christy Gilmore is one of our worship leaders with her husband Josh at The Covenant Center in Lakeland, Florida. They have an excellent blend of traditional worship and praise which leads to the prophetic songs of the Lord. Their sensitivity and flow of the Spirit creates a beautiful atmosphere for His presence.

If we want to know the will of God for our lives, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us: “In everything give thanks…” Christy shares a teaching of how she has been learning to “give thanks” in her own life in the hope that it may also encourage you. Christy and her husband Josh are walking out her message with an open heart, allowing God’s Spirit to direct their path. May her message bring peace and comfort, as you celebrate this season of joy and thanksgiving. In His Covenant Love, Richard

Thanksgiving In Difficult Times by Christy Gilmore

Christy Gilmore

We are commanded in scripture to practice thanksgiving, not only because it delights the heart of God, but also because it positions us for intimate relationship with Him. Thanksgiving comes easily on the mountain tops. When everything is going our way it’s natural to thank Him. It’s during difficult times and after heartrending losses as we stumble through the valley that thanksgiving becomes a challenge. As with all other commandments in scripture, there is a transformative blessing that comes when we obey. Thanksgiving doesn’t change our circumstances, but it creates opportunity for God to change our experience.

The following is an excerpt from the devotional Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young:

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction. You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience - at times blind obedience. to people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

I read this on Thanksgiving Day. Our family had recently experienced a heartbreaking loss. I was struggling to express thanks and it brought a new perspective that really helped me. It is important to give space and adequate time for grieving, but this helped me understand that it is possible to express thanksgiving (that is truly heartfelt) even while I was feeling sad. I took a step back and looked long and hard at the incredible blessings in my life and it felt like coming up for air.

It may feel inauthentic to offer thanksgiving in difficult times, but it is a powerful expression of FAITH. Philippians 4:6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” So, we are instructed to discontinue worry, ask God to intervene on our behalf and then express thanksgiving. He promises to give us peace in exchange. We offer thanksgiving believing that He will answer our prayer as He sees best, as well as thanking Him for His faithfulness. When we practice thanksgiving, our eyes are directed to remembering His faithfulness and our faith increases.

Prayer and thanksgiving go together like ingredients in a cake. Put together they produce something very special! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” A thankful heart is His will for us. I’ve heard it said “A thankful heart is a happy heart.” It’s so true! In my disappointment I’ve found myself expressing the opposite unfortunately (a complaining heart). Romans 1:21 says,“for even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” Yikes! He commanded us to give thanks because He knew it wasn’t in our nature and that it would be a benefit to us in addition to pleasing Him.

Any attempt at moving in the direction of the Lord begins with thanksgiving. According to King David, thanksgiving is the first step to initiating intimacy with the Lord. He paints a picture in Psalms of the high priest approaching the temple. Psalm 11:4 says "“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” I think it’s important to point out that the gates to the city of God are made of pearls. Pearls are formed through irritation.

As Sarah Young wrote, thanksgiving can simply be a “spiritual act of obedience” if we don’t FEEL thankful because of our circumstances. This is when it becomes a sacrifice. In Psalm 116:17, David says I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord.” Our act of obedience to offer thanksgiving may not change our circumstances, but it does create opportunity for God to change how we experience our circumstances. We can experience deep JOY even as we walk through the darkest times because we carry His presence. Psalm 89:15 says, “O Lord, how blessed are the people who know the triumphant shout, for they walk in the radiance of your presence.”

When we offer thanks to the Lord (especially when we are hurting) it is like a compelling fragrance to Him. It is especially difficult and it’s a very special offering. Bill Johnson preached a sermon just days after his wife Beni went to be with the Lord after battling cancer. He said “You can never be in pain and give a gift of worship in heaven. Worship in the midst of pain is only something you can do on this earth. And the pain in that moment makes the incense of worship more valuable. That is how gates of praise are formed. I respond to God based upon His goodness, not on my outcome.” When we give thanks to God in the middle of our hardship, He responds as our Redeemer, taking what the enemy meant for evil and causing all things to work together for GOOD.

Practical application: Will you join me in a Thanksgiving Challenge for the month of December? Set aside a time daily to meditate on the many blessings that He has brought into your life and give the Lord thanks!

Christy Gilmore

Christy Gilmore is a Christian wife and mother who is passionate about knowing and living for Jesus. She is a licensed minister with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Southeastern University. She resides in Lakeland, Florida with her husband, Josh, and their two children Lucas and Kate. Christy and her husband serve as worship leaders at The Covenant Center in Lakeland. Christy and Josh may be contacted at info@thecovenantcenter.com.