In this last article of a fifteen-part series, we provide the biblical definitions of thankfulness, hope, and joy, practical ways to be thankful in all circumstances, how to nurture a spirit of thankfulness and joy in all circumstances, and practical steps for maintaining a joyful heart through Christ.

Cultivating thankfulness, hope, and joy in all circumstances is something all believers have access to through the Holy Spirit. It's a gift through Jesus. And it is a blessing to be worked out in our lives. Thankfulness, hope and joy come from within, and the three do not stand alone. They are three of seven fruits gifted through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for believers (Galatians 5:22) and are a part of living wholeheartedly and experiencing healthy relationships.

This article is the fifteenth of a blog series offering practical steps rooted in Christ and biblical principles to help you build resilience and trust in God's plan and guidance. Following these steps and implementing them into your life in the season God is leading you, learning to navigate life's trials with thankfulness and joy, becomes a part of who you are.

If you missed it, click to Read Living Out Your Faith In Action, the fourteenth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Practical Steps for Emotional Healing: Navigating The Aftermath of Abuse, the thirteenth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read The Power of Of Community and Its Impact on Our Faith Journey, the twelfth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Overcome Obstacles With Grace, the eleventh article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Understanding Self-Love and How To Attain It, the tenth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Developing A Christ-Centered Mindset for A Fulfilling Life, the ninth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Embracing God's Promises, the eighth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Overcoming Doubt and Fears Through Faith, the seventh article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trust: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships Part Two, the sixth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trust: The Foundation of Healthy Relationships, the fifth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trusting God with His Plan After Trauma, the fourth article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Trusting God, the third article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Building A Resilient Faith: Jesus Our Model, the second article in this series.

If you missed it, click to read Understanding Biblical Resilience, the first article in this series. 

Biblical Definitions of Thankfulness, Hope, and Joy

Thankfulness

Thankfulness is the act of offering thanks or being thankful, usually to God for all the blessings He has given. Often connected to provision, deliverance, or God’s character.

I love how Billy Graham defines thankfulness—the giving of thanks—to God for all His blessings.

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Ephesians 5:19–20 (NIV)

Hope

Hope is the confidence that, by integrating God’s redemptive acts in the past with trusting human responses in the present, the faithful will experience the fullness of God’s goodness both in the present and in the future.

"Hope that is deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs 13:12 LEB

"But those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength. They shall go up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 LEB

Joy

Joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction, because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives. "It is delight and closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice. One of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22–23). Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian." (1)

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." -James 1:2–4 (NLT)

It's not in our natural man to rejoice, delight, or find joy when going through trials, testings and the ups and downs of our faith journey. However, the fully surrendered born again believer receives this gift to cultivate in unison with the Person of the Holy Spirit.

"Come, let us sing for joy to Yahweh; let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; with songs let us shout joyfully to him. -Psalm 95:1-2 (LEB)

Practical Ways to be Thankful in All Circumstances

Thankfulness for Jesus and His Redemptive Work

God has given us the greatest gift through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. 'Believers are released from bondage to sin and death to be slaves of God,'(2) to do His good work and to spend eternity with Him.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 (LEB)

Thankfulness for the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

When Jesus ascended to heaven he told the disciples, "But in fact, it is better for you that I go away, because if I don't the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you." -John 16:7 (NLT)

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than I am is coming, of whom I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. -Luke 3:16 (LEB)

"The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Thankfulness for Your Family and Friends

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. -Philippians 1:3 (NLT)

Thankfulness for your Talents and the Work You Do

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." -Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

Thankful for your Home and Material Belongings

"All of it belongs to you." 1 Chronicles 29:16 (NIV)

Thankful in Times of Trials, Testing, and Sufferings

"Not only so, but we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

Nurture a Spirit of Thankfulness and Joy in All Circumstances

Thankfulness and joy are gifts from the Holy Spirit, freely given to all who have received salvation. As such, we are called to live and operate in these blessings. Through the power and Person of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate and practice these holy gifts, allowing them to flourish within us. In doing so, we discover the deep truth that joy is attainable in every circumstance.

1. Journal: Thankfulness and joy are deeply connected, and one meaningful way to cultivate both is by keeping a thankfulness journal. Even if you can think of only one thing to be grateful for, write it down—it’s a powerful start. Another approach is to take a few moments at the end of each day to reflect on the good things that happened and make a list. Begin each entry with the phrase, "Today, I am thankful for _____." This simple practice can help you nurture a heart of thankfulness and experience the joy it brings.

2. Prayer: When circumstances weigh heavy on your heart, take them to the Lord. Share with Him what is causing you pain—He already knows, but He delights in hearing from you. As you pour out your heart, ask Him to show you the path to healing. Remember, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and attentive to your cries. Spend time in the Scriptures, seeking passages that speak to your struggle, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you through the living and powerful Word of God.

3. Inner Circle: There are moments when you simply need someone to listen. In those times, reach out to a trusted member of your inner circle—someone who is safe, nonjudgmental, and rooted in their love for the Lord. Call them and ask for just eight minutes of their time to share what’s on your heart. Sometimes, the act of speaking your thoughts aloud to someone who cares can bring a sense of restoration. Your person may not offer advice or solutions but instead provide understanding and a listening ear. They might even remind you of something you once shared that speaks directly to your current need. The gift of having inner circle people is truly a blessing.

4. Praise: The Bible offers countless examples, particularly in the Psalms, where David chose to put on a garment of praise even in the depths of despair. This doesn’t mean ignoring your pain—you acknowledge and feel it—but you also choose to thank God for being greater than your circumstances. You place your hope in Him and trust in His promises. Personally, I’ve found that dancing in the privacy of my home can be a beautiful way to praise the Lord. Isaiah 61:3 reminds us that Jesus came to give us a garment of praise in place of a spirit of despair. This garment is first worn in the heart and then shines outward for all to see.

5. Nature: Step outside and take in the beauty of God’s creation. Look at the sky, the trees, the grass, the oceans, the mountains, and the valleys. Let your heart overflow with gratitude as you thank Him for providing such a magnificent place for us to dwell. While this world is not our eternal home, it is the place He has lovingly given us to live until the day we are called to be with Him.

Practical Steps for Maintaining a Joyful Heart Through Christ

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

Outreach magazine features an insightful article by Lilly Park on how to maintain a joyful heart. Here are three practical suggestions she shares:

"Humbling Ourselves vs. Seeking Control

A joyful heart rests in God’s control of life. Ever since the fall, we have tried to be in control of our lives. How exhausting. It never ends. Trusting God isn’t a lack of action, but it does involve humility by knowing what you can control. It might be asking for help, planning ahead or learning a new skill. Distinguish between what you can control and what you cannot. Pray to God for help and trust him with the outcome. Health crisis? Family conflict? Job loss? Rest in believing that God knows and cares. God’s will be done.

Believing God's Truth vs. Our Thoughts

A joyful heart remembers God’s character and promises (Ps. 19:8). Since the fall, we have believed ourselves to know better than God. Do you have people in your life who speak thoughtfully whenever you talk to them? A good word that is biblical and loving can refresh your soul. One idea might be to study God’s attributes if you’re struggling to believe that God is loving, forgiving and powerful. Replace thoughts that dry up the bones with life-giving truth, such as God is good and faithful (Ps. 145).

Praying Always vs. Giving Up

A joyful heart perseveres because of the hope we have in Christ: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). A person who keeps praying is the person who perseveres. We pray as a way of casting our anxieties on God. It doesn’t mean our circumstances will change. In fact, we might not know the outcome for months or even years. The medical news might be worse than we expected. The difficult co-worker or boss might provoke us more. Each day, we press on to live for God’s glory, in dependence on God, trusting him alone."

Tending the Garden of Your Heart: Embracing God’s Transformative Love

Restore Your Joy

I envision our hearts like a garden. We are born into this world with a void of fertile soil in our hearts for God to in-fill. Many times, before we have reached the age of 5 years old, we have received messages of rejection, unworthiness, incompetence, and extreme conditional love.  As we grow and mature, our hearts become filled with messages that are lies and deceit which begin to take root. Then our beautiful garden starts to be overgrown with brush and thorn, thicket and death. The thickness of the rubbish overgrows and creates a shield over our hearts, and we live in a lonely and empty existence.  We begin the search for ways to “feel” better through acceptance, shopping, material things, alcohol, drugs, and relationships. Inevitably, it is to no avail, and we drive ourselves into deeper loneliness and emptiness.

We can let God take hold of our hearts to be in partnership with Him. When we do, He’ll begin to work through the thicket of thorns and brush, pruning back the dead limbs and bushes, mixing in the fertile soil, planting new seeds, and nurturing them to their full potential. Then we begin to see the real meaning of love. God told us that He loved us first! His love toward us first causes us to turn our hearts to Him and love Him back. But if our hearts are so covered up with all the lies and hurt, how can we recognize His love? We must begin the process of cleaning up our garden and preparing it to receive God’s love. He offers it in His full and unconditional sacrificial gift of Jesus!

My experience is that when we invite Jesus into our heart, He comes to live with us, no matter where we are in our circumstances, no matter what we have done! He is a living God ready to extend His mercy and grace on all who call on Him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  I called on Jesus in a deep time of pain with a heart shattered to pieces. I have witnessed first-hand God’s abundant love in my life. One of the wonderful things about God is that He allows us to choose to stay where we are or to call on Him and His love as our Savior and for our strength! I pray for you that this moment you will choose to call upon the name of Jesus Christ to come into your heart to live!

This article originally appeared on AllisonMMiller.com and is reposted here by permission.

Conclusion

By embracing these spiritual and practical practices, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can cultivate a resilient faith that not only weathers life's storms but shines as a powerful testament to God's unwavering love and grace. Through Christ, you won't just recover--you'll rise stronger, more steadfast, bounce back faster, and anchored in the truth of His promises. 

This is the last article of this fifteen-part series. If you missed the previous articles, we encourage you to start with the first article in this series, Understanding Biblical Resilience.

Sources:

(1) Brenda Heyink, “Joy,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

(2) Peter Lau, “Redemption,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).