Thanking God for the Bad Things
So I have been watching a show on Angel Studios called “A Week Away: The Series” and I have to admit that I’m kind of obsessed. It’s like high school musical meets a Christian camp. Anyways, last week they released episode 4 and they sing a song where they say “Thank God for the hell of it” after the main female character says that she’s always thanked God for the bad thing because she knows eventually it’ll all work out for good. You can watch the music video here!
It got me thinking… If we’re honest with ourselves, giving thanks in the middle of the good moments is easy. When life is going smoothly, prayers are answered quickly, and blessings are overflowing, it feels natural to lift our hands and say, “Thank You, Lord" but what about when everything seems to be falling apart? When the diagnosis comes, the job is lost, the relationship shatters, or the storm feels never-ending. What then?
This is where our faith gets real. The Bible doesn’t tell us to thank God only for the things that feel good. Instead, Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” That little word all is where the challenge lies. It means thanking Him not just for answered prayers but for unanswered ones. It means thanking Him not just when the door opens, but when it slams shut. It means thanking Him not just for what we understand, but for what confuses us and even breaks our hearts. Why? Because we serve a God who never wastes a tear, a season, or a trial.
When Joseph was sold by his own brothers into slavery, betrayed, falsely accused, and thrown into prison—nothing about his story looked good in the moment. But years later, when he was placed in a position to save countless lives, he could say in Genesis 50:20.. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph couldn’t see the redemption in the pit or in the prison, but he trusted that God was working, even when he didn’t understand and that’s the same for us. We may not see how the heartbreak, loss, or pain will ever be redeemed. But God is already at work.
Here’s the radical thing about faith: it thanks God before the outcome is revealed. When Paul and Silas sat in prison, beaten and chained, they prayed and sang hymns (Acts 16:25). They didn’t wait until the earthquake came and the doors flew open to start praising God. They worshiped in the dark, trusting He was still good. We can do the same. We can whisper prayers of gratitude even when our hearts are heavy. We can thank Him for being faithful before we see how the story unfolds. That doesn’t mean we have to pretend the pain isn’t real. God doesn’t ask us to fake joy or dismiss our struggles. He simply asks us to trust Him enough to say, “Lord, I don’t understand this right now, but I thank You because I know You will use it for good.”
One of the most comforting promises in Scripture is Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice it doesn’t say “some things.” It says all things. Every disappointment. Every delay. Every heartbreak. Every detour. All of it is gathered up into God’s hands and reshaped for the good of His people and the glory of His name.
So how do we practically thank God for the bad things? Start small. Even if it feels impossible, whisper, “Thank You, Lord, for being with me in this.” Look back. Reflect on past seasons where God has already turned pain into purpose. Lean in. Spend time in prayer and the Word, letting His promises be louder than your circumstances. Speak it. Share your testimony as God works things out—because your gratitude might spark hope in someone else’s darkness.
Gratitude in the storm doesn’t minimize the struggle. It magnifies our God. When we choose to thank Him for the hard things, we declare that our trust is not in what we see but in Who He is. We declare that He is faithful, He is good, and He is working even when the story is unfinished. One day, when we look back and see how He wove it all together for good, we’ll be able to say, “Thank You, Lord, for even the hard things. You never left me, and You never wasted a moment.”
