(ESV) Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! — 1 Chronicles 16:34
What if resilience—not relief—was what you can Thank God for this season?
Eliza is a “new” widow—yet she is married.
When I spoke with her yesterday, her voice trembled under the weight of everything she carried. Just weeks after placing her husband in a care facility, she sat alone in a house far too big, with shadows of their shared life everywhere. Then, the roof started leaking.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered, tears breaking through her words. “I don’t even know where to start.” She needed to hire a contractor, but the decision felt overwhelming. Fear gripped her heart, making her second-guess every step. Was this God’s warning? Or was it just her unraveling under the relentless weight of change?
Her feelings weren’t just about the roof.
They were about the ache of loss, the isolation, and the crushing sense of being stretched so thin she might shatter. Every new problem felt like a tidal wave on a sea of grief and exhaustion.
As we talked, a truth began to surface. Eliza wasn’t failing. She felt tapped out! As if she couldn’t handle one more thing. What she needed wasn’t perfection or control—it was resilience. The strength to face one more thing, even if it went sideways. The courage to let the “what ifs” go because God could carry her, even when she couldn’t.
What struck me most about Eliza’s story wasn’t just her fear, grief or exhaustion—but how familiar her words felt.
Caregivers everywhere carry invisible weights, balancing heartbreak with relentless demands and bracing for the next blow. And yet, here we are in the season of thankfulness. But how do we give thanks when life feels this hard? When demands don’t let up, the loneliness cuts deep, and the future feels overwhelming.
For caregivers, gratitude isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending life is easier than it is.
It’s about holding onto God’s promises even in the storm: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34). It’s about leaning into Him through prayer and thanksgiving, as Philippians 4:6 reminds us: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
In this season, there are two gifts we can pray for and give thanks for that sustain caregivers: resilience and respite. Today, let’s focus on resilience—because it’s through resilience that God strengthens us to face the impossible and reminds us that we are never truly alone.
Resilience: A Gift of Grace in Hard Times
Life is hard. It’s a truth no one escapes. Yet, amid our struggles—whether caregiving, grief, illness, or uncertainty—there is something extraordinary God gives us: resilience.
Resilience is more than just “bouncing back.” It’s the God-given ability to persevere, stand firm when life is crumbling around us, and grow stronger through our trials. And here’s the beauty: resilience isn’t something we muster alone. It’s a gift from God, rooted in His grace and powered by His presence. Now, this is something we can be thankful for.
The apostle Paul captures this perfectly in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when he writes, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” God’s strength shines brightest when we feel weakest. In those moments of despair, He builds resilience in our hearts.
Why Thank God for Resilience?
When life is painful, thanking God might be the last thing we want to do. But when we thank Him for resilience, we shift our focus. Instead of fixating on what’s wrong, we begin to see how He sustains us through it all.
- Resilience Helps Us Endure with Hope
Trials don’t magically disappear, but resilience reminds us that they won’t last forever. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). God’s gift of resilience equips us to hold on to hope, knowing He is with us every step of the way. - Resilience Shapes Our Faith
Hard times can deepen our trust in God. As we endure, we see His faithfulness in ways we never could during smooth sailing. Resilience refines us, making our faith stronger and more unshakable. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). - Resilience is a Testimony
When we stand firm in life’s storms, others notice. Our resilience becomes a testimony to God’s power, drawing people to ask, “How do you keep going?” It opens the door to share the hope we have in Christ.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Resilience?
Lord,
Thank You for being my strength when I feel weak. Thank You for giving me the resilience to face life’s challenges, even when they feel overwhelming. Help me to trust in Your grace and power, knowing You are at work in my life. Teach me to see hardships not as obstacles but as opportunities to grow closer to You. Thank You for never leaving me and for the hope I have in Jesus.
Amen.
This Thanksgiving, let’s thank God for the easy, joyful moments and the resilience He gives us to face the hard ones. Because even in our trials, His grace is sufficient, and His strength is enough.
