Thank God

Joel Balin
Nov 25, 2025
4 min read

It felt like the perfect divine setup.

Years ago, when we were still living in Orlando, I booked a recording session in Ohio — just a couple of hours from my parents’ home. My mom had been very sick, and I sensed: This may be my last opportunity to be with her.

So I packed some recording gear, cables, and clothes into a couple of suitcases. I planned on recording for a few days, then rent a car and drive to my parents' home. Everything was falling beautifully into place.

Except for one thing… I had forgotten my wallet.

I already had my plane tickets. Back then, they still let me on the plane, but they wouldn't let me rent a car.

So there I sat in the car rental office— two hours away from my parents’ house and unable to get to my mom. I was disappointed, frustrated, and heartbroken—definitely not thankful.

So, I flew back to Florida with my same luggage and carrying extra baggage with the weight of grief and a heavy heart.

Weeks passed with responsibilities and schedules piling up. I started to fall into resignation that I may never see my mom again.

And then one morning, I clearly heard the Lord say: “Go now.”

I didn't plan that trip, but God obviously did. During my visit, before she stepped into eternity, I had the privilege of leading my mother to faith in Jesus.

That was the last time I saw her in this world — but because of that moment, I will see her again in the next. I don't know if my failed first attempt at seeing my mom was just my forgetfulness—or the enemy trying to thwart my plans. But what I do know is that what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good.

God didn’t cause the disruption. But He certainly worked in it. My temporary plans were interrupted… but eternal redemption broke in. And thanksgiving welled up in me.

I was reminded:

We don’t thank God for everything — we thank Him in everything, because He is at work in everything.

— THANKFUL FOR HIS GOODNESS —

Thanksgiving begins not with our circumstances, but with our Creator. Gratitude flows from remembering who God is — good, faithful, loving, unchanging — even when life is uncertain, unexpected, or unwelcome. Our thanks rise from His nature, not our narrative.

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” — Psalm 106:1

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 100:4–5

Gratitude grows stronger when rooted in God’s unchanging goodness.

— THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS —

Scripture doesn’t command us to give thanks for all things — but it calls us to give thanks in all things.

Thanksgiving is not pretending the pain isn’t real; it’s proclaiming that God’s presence is greater. It brings divine perspective into difficult places and invites peace into the pressure.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

“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… will guard your hearts…” — Philippians 4:6–7

The next time we are under attack or facing distress, let’s thank God that He is good and working on our behalf. He’s already provided everything we need; we receive it through thanksgiving, prayer, and faith.

— THANKFUL IN THE WAITING —

Waiting can feel like wasted time, but in God’s story, nothing is wasted.

When I sat in that Ohio airport, unable to reach my mom, it felt like the end of the story. But God was already working behind the scenes, weaving redemption and arranging a moment I could have never orchestrated.

Waiting becomes worship when we trust that God is working even when we cannot see it.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” — Romans 8:28

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

Waiting isn’t passive resignation; it’s peaceful confidence in God. Waiting becomes fruitful when we realize and believe God is working in what looks like a setback.

— THANKFUL IN THE VALLEY —

Thankfulness in the valley is not denial — it’s declaration.

Scripture says that when we’ve been captured by Christ, God always leads us to victory. Not sometimes. Not occasionally. Always. The valley may slow us down, but it cannot stop the victory God is leading us toward.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…” — 2 Corinthians 2:14

Every valley we pass through becomes a pathway to triumph when God is leading.

— THANKFUL FOR THE GREATEST GIFT —

Our deepest expression of thankfulness is for Jesus — God’s greatest gift to us.

Everything God gives us is found in Jesus, comes through Jesus, and is secured by Jesus.

The cross proves that if the Father did not withhold the most precious thing He had — His own Son — then He will certainly give us everything we truly need.

Jesus is the anchor of our hope, the assurance of God’s goodness, and the reason we can trust Him in every circumstance.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also… graciously give us all things?” —Romans 8:32

As we thank God for giving us His son, we affirm that God’s generosity toward us is limitless, His grace knows no bounds, and His extravagant love endures forever.

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks not because life is perfect, but because God is present — working, renewing, redeeming, restoring.

We thank Him for His goodness. We thank Him in the difficult places. We thank Him in the waiting and through the valleys.

Most of all, we thank Him for Jesus — the One who saves us, carries us through, and gives us an anchor for our souls, hope for our families, and the Holy Spirit to guide us through every step of this life.

Even when our plans are interrupted…

Even when the timing seems wrong…

Even when we forget our “wallet”…

God is working all things for good — even the things we never would have chosen.