Always Say Thanks
Gratitude is a value we hear about often, but when circumstances get tough, it can feel like the first thing to slip away. For youth pastors and those working closely with students, encouraging a mindset of thankfulness — even in hardship — is a key part of spiritual growth. It’s easy for students (and adults) to feel grateful when life is smooth, but what happens when challenges arise? Fostering gratitude during tough times is not just possible; it’s transformative, shaping students to see God’s faithfulness even in the most challenging seasons.
Why Gratitude Matters
Gratitude is far more than an emotional response; it’s an intentional focus on the good that God is working in and around us, regardless of what we face. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to present our requests with thanksgiving: “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.” Here, thanksgiving is tied to peace and freedom from anxiety.
Practical Ways to Promote Gratitude in Tough Times
Let’s explore practical ways youth leaders can help students develop gratitude when life is difficult. “Giving thanks” can become a lifestyle.
1. Encourage Daily Thanksgiving Moments
One way to build gratitude in hard times is to focus on the daily “small things.” Suggest students make a habit of listing three things they’re grateful for at the end of each day. These can be simple: a nice conversation, a fun class, or even a warm meal. Over time, these little moments build a larger sense of appreciation.
Tip: Try a “Gratitude Wall” in your youth room or church app where students can anonymously post daily thankfulness moments. Encourage them to contribute regularly and read others’ posts as well, helping them remember they’re not alone in their journey.
2. Teach the Power of Perspective
Shifting our view of tough situations to see where God might be at work requires a lot of faith in action. Encourage students to ask: “How could God use this challenge to grow me?” While difficult circumstances may not feel good, God promises in Romans 8:28 that He is working all things together for our good.
Example Exercise: During a group session, invite students to write down a challenging situation. Then, have them reframe it by listing potential ways God could use that situation to grow their character, faith, or relationships.
3. Practice ‘Thankfulness Prayers’
Thankfulness prayers are a powerful tool for shifting focus back to God. Encourage students to start each prayer with at least two things they’re thankful for, even if they’re struggling. This practice grounds them in gratitude before they dive into requests.
Suggested Activity: Incorporate thankfulness prayers into your group time. Ask students to thank God for specific things before lifting their needs. It may take time to catch on, but over time, this practice encourages gratitude as an active part of communication with God.
If you think students may be uncomfortable with participating in this activity on the spot, give them the option of writing notes on their phones first. Or, they could “anonymously” submit their thanks to a staff leader who can read them off without them feeling awkward or embarrassed.
4. Encourage Journaling to See God’s Hand Over Time
Journaling is a personal way for students to document the challenges they face alongside God’s provision. Encourage them to write about both the highs and lows, noting the ways they see God’s presence over time.
Suggested Activity: Hold a “journaling day” in your group, with prompts like “What has God done for me recently?” or “What blessings have come from a hard situation?” These prompts help students reflect on God’s ongoing work, grounding them in gratitude even during hard times..
5. Model Gratitude as a Leader
This is a big one because nothing is more impactful than a leader who embodies gratitude. Share your own stories of how you’ve learned to be grateful in tough seasons. This can be an honest and powerful way to build connection and trust with students while showing them that gratitude is possible, even in life’s struggles.
Idea for Authenticity: Use real examples from your life, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. When students see your authenticity, they’re more likely to practice gratitude authentically as well. There’s a balance between acknowledging that you’ve been through things and acknowledging God as your help during that time – when that balance is struck, lives are impacted.
6. Share Why You’re Thankful for Them
Take some time over the next few weeks to get with each student individually and let them know at least one way you’re thankful for them and for what they bring to the group. You’ll be speaking into their life and purpose in a way that only a spiritual leader can.
Verses on Gratitude for Encouragement
Scripture is full of reminders about the importance of giving thanks. Here are a few to share with students during group times or to incorporate into your messages:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 107:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Colossians 3:15-17: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Encourage your students to memorize these verses as a reminder to stay thankful, even in difficult times.
Recommended Resources for Further Exploration
For leaders interested in diving deeper into this topic with students, consider using these resources:
YouVersion Bible App’s ‘Gratitude’ Plan: Free Bible reading plans focused on gratitude that students can follow on their own or as part of a group challenge.
RightNow Media: This streaming library offers numerous video-based studies, including series on developing gratitude and focusing on God’s goodness.
Wrapping Up
Gratitude in difficult times isn’t just about feeling good — it’s about shifting our focus from circumstances to the God who holds everything together. As you guide students in practicing gratitude, remind them that each act of thankfulness builds a stronger, more resilient faith. Students will learn to see God’s goodness, even when life is difficult, and build a habit that will support them throughout their lives. In every job they perform, family matters they struggle with, or school work they’ve been assigned, they’ll truly come to understand what it means to “always say thanks.”