#030 God Is Good...

In this powerful exploration of gratitude and praise, we're invited to examine a profound truth that challenges our natural instincts: the practice of giving God thanks before we see the breakthrough we're praying for. Drawing from scriptures like Psalm 100: 5 and Philippians 4: 6-7, we discover that authentic gratitude isn't contingent on our circumstances—it's rooted in God's unchanging character. The episode beautifully unpacks the story of Paul and Silas worshiping in prison, showing us that genuine praise isn't about manipulating God into action, but about anchoring ourselves to His goodness regardless of what we're facing. We learn that gratitude actually rewires our brains, releasing chemicals that bring peace, while simultaneously keeping us relationally connected to God. This isn't about denying our pain or glossing over difficult realities; it's about making an internal decision to focus on who God is rather than what we're going through. As we enter seasons of family gatherings and holiday stress, we're challenged to look for things to be thankful for in every situation—even if it's just the sweet potatoes on our table—and to voice those expressions of gratitude to others. The message reminds us that our praise is actually a sacrifice of control and submission to God's will, which paradoxically gives us access to His power that far exceeds our own limited perspective.