There’s a lot to say about being thankful. Since Thanksgiving is a week away, it’s likely we’ll see many ways to say it. But each day brings a variety of blessings. They come through the rhythm of our routines and in the moments that wow us.

And yet, some days come with burdens.

Just this week, fires in California caused loss of life and property. Communities seek to recover from horrific acts of violence. Other places undergo efforts to resolve election results or irregularities. And that’s just the news in our nation’s headlines.

I’m thankful for first responders who battle California’s hellish blaze.

I’m thankful for those who sit with grieving families as they sort through their pain.

I’m thankful for a democracy that ensures every vote is counted.

I send sincere prayers off into the distance. However, I realize gratitude feels broken when dark or doubtful times land on our doorstep. Thankfully,

Living in the grip of gratitude pulls us in from dark or doubtful places; not to deny them but to discover there are reasons to regroup or reasons to want more.

Whether it’s in the headlines or in the privacy of our hearts, when something upends our existence we feel the grip of anxiety, grief or fear. It’s an understandable wave of emotions.

We may wrestle with God’s sovereignty and wonder about the reasons for an event or what we could have done differently. I’ve wrestled with both. But I’ve learned there is something else longing to grip me.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – I Thessalonians 5:16-18

When the shape of my life succumbs to unwanted circumstances, it’s a happiness hack. And yet, whether life collapses into chaos or rises to pleasant heights, when I’m aware of God’s grace in Christ, gratitude grips me.

I admit “rejoicing always” feels unrealistic when tragedy strikes.

“Praying continually” seems like a stretch when we struggle to walk by faith.

However, “giving thanks” in all circumstances doesn’t mean giving thanks for all circumstances; especially when a situation becomes a crisis.

God’s will doesn’t ignore our reality. Through faith in Christ, we’re invited to experience His reality. He offers His comfort for our pain. He gives His strength for our weakness. He shows us His way out of what we want out of. And yet, being grateful is a choice.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. – Psalm 34:1

Sometimes gratitude flows as we realize others have less. Other days, gratitude grips us — reminding us how we’ve emerged from a difficult time or that we can emerge again.

But any day is a good day to rejoice because through Christ we’re forgiven of our sins. Any day is a good day to pray because there’s more to our redemptive stories.

Every facet of life may not reflect what we want. But life is an ongoing opportunity to experience God’s goodness in unexpected ways — even in the midst of the unwanted. Just when I think I’ve learned to give thanks in all circumstances, something happens to remind me I’m still learning to live in the grip of gratitude.

Gratitude nudges us to appreciate small things and to be grateful things are as well as they are. It’s the reason why I cherish the tiniest drop of hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

All Scriptural references are in the New Living Translation (NLT)