We continue to explore practical, godly responses to life’s storms in the second half of our Crisis Management for the Believer series (you can catch up here if you are new to this series or you have missed anything). So far, we have seen how prayer anchors us – seeking God’s wisdom and surrendering to His will – and how serving others creatively shifts our focus outward. Today, we take a third step that might surprise you: making a list of things for which we are thankful. At first, you might wonder, “How will this help me in a crisis?” I am glad you are asking. Scripture shows us that a thankful heart is God’s answer to an anxious one. Let us think through this carefully.

The Apostle Paul lays this out beautifully: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). Did you catch that? Thanksgiving is not a sidenote – it is central to facing anxiety, even in the thick of a crisis. Further, Paul also explains in another letter, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18). Again, this is not simply an added touch to your response in tough circumstances and suffering; rather, it is God’s will for you to press for thankfulness. How, then, do we cultivate this? Let us explore what it means to make a list of blessings and why it matters.

The Pull of Anxiety

In a crisis – whatever the cause of the suffering – our hearts naturally lean toward worry. The “what-ifs” pile up, the unknowns loom large, and peace feels out of reach. I have been there, and I suspect you have too. It is easy to let anxiety take the driver’s seat, replaying the problem until it is all we see. But Paul says there is a better way. Thanksgiving or giving thanks does not deny the struggle – it reframes it.

At first glance, making a list might feel trivial, like a Band-Aid on a broken leg. But it is more than that, actually much more than that. It is a deliberate act of faith; giving thanks is a way to lift our eyes from the storm to the One who calms it. When we name what we are thankful for, we remind ourselves of God’s goodness – past, present, and future.

A List Rooted in God’s Grace

What goes on this list? Start with blessings from God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a treasury of reasons to give thanks, no matter the crisis. Here are three to anchor us:

• The grace of salvation (Ephesians 2:1-10). You were dead in sin, but God made you alive in Christ – by grace, through faith. That is a gift no crisis can touch.
• The promise of grace to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). God pledges that no trial will overwhelm you beyond what He equips you to bear. He is with you in this.
• The hope of His ongoing work (Philippians 1:6). He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion. This crisis is not the end of your story.

These truths are not simply theology – they are lifelines. Write them down. Let them sink in. They are yours because of Christ. (In the days ahead, add to this list!)

Blessings from Others

Next, add blessings from others. In a crisis, God often shows His care through the body of Christ. Think about it: a friend who babysat so you could rest, a meal dropped off when you could not cook, a word of encouragement that hit just right, a prayer offered in your weakness, even a hug when words failed. These are gifts – tangible echoes of God’s love. Jot them down too.

In my own crises, I have been amazed at how God uses others to steady me – a note, a call, a small act of kindness. When you list these, you will see you are not as alone as the enemy wants you to feel.

The Power of a Thankful Heart

Here is the beautiful truth: a thankful heart does not just catalog blessings – it changes us. Paul ties thanksgiving to peace. Over many years, I have watched this exact thing play out both in my own life and in the lives of others. The more we focus on God’s gifts, the less room anxiety has to fester. It is not that the crisis vanishes – bills still come, diagnoses linger – but our perspective shifts. We stop staring at the waves and start looking to the One walking on them (Matt 14:29-30).

Contrast that with an ungrateful heart. When we fixate on what is wrong, the crisis grows heavier, darker, and lonelier. Thanksgiving flips the script. It is a weapon against despair; that is, a practical step to trust God right where we are.

A Step Forward

Remember, the goal is to make small, practical responses while in the midst of your crisis. Here is the next step: grab a pen – or your phone – and make a list. Start small if you need. Follow this pattern to begin: 1) Name three things from God, and 2) three from others. Let me suggest a few to get the pump primed. Considering from God, maybe it is your salvation, God’s presence with you in the storm, or His hope that does not disappoint. Regarding from others, a meal shared or sent, a prayer offered or promised, or a kind word in person, by text, or through a card. Once you get these listed, look at your list and pray over it, thanking God for each one. Try not to put this off. You can begin this with these simple three in just moments. Do it today, in the thick of your crisis. Then, watch how God uses it to guard your heart with peace.

Next time, we will see how these steps – prayer, service, and thanksgiving – tie us to God’s strength in community. For now, take this step. What are you thankful for today?

What’s one thing you’re thankful for today? If you know this and speak it, it will help you and those who hear you. We'd love to rejoice with you too. Share on X