Why does the Bible tell us to be thankful at all times, but especially in bad times?

on Aug 28, 2025

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why does the Bible tell us to be thankful at all times, but especially in bad times? It doesn’t really make sense, and it is hard to do! – B.T.

A: Thankfulness isn’t our usual response when something goes wrong. We may have a hundred good things to be thankful for – but let one bad thing happen, and it’s all we think about!

Long ago, a minister named Matthew Henry was robbed. He wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my [possessions], they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” What a perspective! What a challenge.

The Bible says, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV). No matter what happens, we are to give thanks. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, … with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16, ESV). We must so develop the habit of thanking God each day, that it becomes a natural response. When we don’t think there is anything to be thankful for, we can start by remembering that we are still in God’s care.

Having a thankful spirit often leads to encouraging others even if we don’t recognize it. The Bible teaches us to be more concerned about the needs and feelings of others than our own.

A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. How wonderful to thank God in the midst of trials and not only in the times of joy. We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and grace to us.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)