It was one of those seasons. Trial after trial pummeled my family’s life in what felt like relentless issues, both big and small. Car repairs, illness, financial crisis, and significant transitions. It felt like it was one thing after another. I can typically handle one trial or even two, but seven in a row was more than I could take. Each day, I waited to discover what tough circumstances would plague me. As each day grew worse than the last, I began to question God:

Don’t you care about me?

Why aren’t other people struggling like me?

Aren’t you going to help me?

My questioning grew to anger, which grew to bitterness and resentment. I hate to admit that I was bitter and resentful toward God, but I was. It felt like he didn’t care and had forgotten me. I knew in my head all the Scriptures that tell me how much God loves me and has a plan for my life. But in my heart, I felt otherwise. My situation and circumstances looked as if that Scripture wasn’t true.

As I read the Scriptures, I came across the Last Supper. I had read this passage many times before, but I read it in a new light this time. What struck me was that Jesus chose to eat with his disciples in his last moments before he was crucified and resurrected. Not only did he decide to eat with them, but it says, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he gave thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26, NKJV). Jesus had trials awaiting him too. But instead of complaining or crying out to God, he chose to spend it with his disciples, most of which would not even be present at his crucifixion and one who would betray him.

And He gave thanks.

This Scripture changed my perspective on life. While the fleshly part of myself wanted to cry or complain about my circumstances, Jesus demonstrated what we should do instead. When trials come, we should give thanks.

Gratitude changes our perspective on many things. It keeps us hopeful and thinking about the positive things in life. But most of all, gratitude gives us hope that even in the worst circumstances, God can turn things around for his good. When I give thanks, I glorify God and become more Christlike.

Most of all, gratitude gives us hope that even in the worst circumstances, God can turn things around for his good. When I give thanks, I glorify God and become more Christlike.

It’s not easy to keep an attitude of gratitude when things seem hopeless in our lives. Yet, this is an attitude that Jesus wants us to have in every circumstance. Here are some ways to develop—and maintain—that attitude of gratitude:

Journal

A gratitude journal is a great way to keep an attitude focused on gratitude. Even under challenging circumstances, I always have blessings I can count. Even if it’s small things like the clothes on my back, the heat in my room, or the food in my fridge, there’s always something to be thankful for. Jesus demonstrates this as he knew the impending crucifixion coming his way yet chose to be grateful for the fellowship and the food God put before him. When I write down my blessings, I can see God’s faithfulness through everything, even when things look full of despair.

Memorize Scripture

Scripture memorization is the best tool besides prayer for thwarting the devil’s schemes to keep us pessimistic about our lives. Write down a few Scriptures and keep them in prominent places in your home. Allow yourself to be reminded of God the truth of God’s word throughout the day. When not immersed in God’s word, it’s easy to get distracted and fix our eyes on our circumstances rather than the truth of God’s word.

Get Support

It is also important to surround ourselves with people who are optimistic about the future. We all know someone who tends to make lemonade out of lemons and makes the best out of even the worst circumstances. Take the time to talk with them and ask them how they keep that perspective. Talk with them often and let them encourage you.

Hearing others’ encouragement is sometimes just enough to keep your eyes focused on Jesus. While it’s essential to have people who are not ashamed to tell us the truth and help us grow in Christ’s character, having people who merely want to support us, pray for us, and love us unconditionally is also critical. Spend time with them often, and let them fill our souls full of love, hope, and joy.

Gratitude is a choice. We can choose to look at our circumstances with pessimism and despair, or we can look at our lives with optimism and hope. As Christians, we have the hope of God, and we can choose to see our circumstances through that lens if we choose every day to have an attitude of gratitude.