Turner sets up the purpose of the sessions about the importance of understanding gratitude is not thanksgiving. In this session, he wants the audience to understand gratitude is an expression of our faith that goes beyond how we feel about a particular experience. This is especially important when we are faced with adversity. God is faithful to us in these times and gives us strength to endure. Ultimately, it’s to help us mature in our Christian faith and equip us to face adversity with joy and gratitude toward God.

Every session has specific goals—things you want your group to walk away knowing, feeling, and committing to do.

Main idea: Our faith should be greater than how we feel at any given moment.
Head Change: To accept that facing trials is inevitable and that your feelings and emotions are valid.
Heart Change: To never let your emotions keep you from persevering through trials and strengthening your faith.
Life Change: To realize God is perfecting you in the process and wants you to mature in your faith.

Reflect upon a moment, situation, or season in your life where you found yourself overwhelmed by your emotions because of the adversity you were facing. Share with your group how you felt.

It can be difficult to accept the reality that everyone will face trials and adversity. No one is exempt. Our feelings and emotions around these times often take over and affect how we might respond to the situation. It can be hard not to let our emotions control our reactions, especially when we dwell on the negative impact the trials have on our lives. Turner emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the validity of your feelings but making a conscience decision to put your faith ahead of everything else. This is an important, intentional practice to allow you to find joy and gratitude toward God.

We are called to live a life different from nonbelievers and stay strong in our faith. In these verses in James, he helps us come to grips with the unavoidable adversity that we will face. Trials are unavoidable, and the Bible is clear that believers will inevitably face them. It is in these times that believers should see them as an opportunity to persevere and shine a light when evil is trying to tear them down.

Your feelings are a mental and physical response to stimuli: good or bad. Your mind is processing this experience. God made us with emotions; however, we can’t dismiss the response of our spirit. Biblically, we should have a counter-response to the world, especially to negative experiences. Turner dives deeper into James 1:2–4. He explains that suffering produces steadfastness or patience. We must see times of trials as a perfecting process.

Read John 16:33. This verse is reiterating that even though you will face these trials, you can find peace in God because he has overcome the world. We should have confidence in this truth as we walk through difficult times.

Turner further expounds on this truth: “When you face trials, it is an opportunity to be resilient in the strength of God. Allow our faith to go ahead of what we are experiencing and make the intentional decision to allow joy to lead the way in our minds and hearts. It doesn’t negate our feelings; we need to make a deliberate decision to be joyful.”

What is there to delight in when you’re going through pain and suffering?

The answer is the faithfulness of God. He has a plan to prosper you and not harm you. It might feel bad at the time, but it is ultimately for your advantage. You will grow from these experiences and strengthen your faith.

In this session, Turner emphasizes that gratitude should be the reoccurring theme in the heart and on the tongue of every believer. It is important to develop a spiritual sensibility with our emotions, knowing that our faith should be greater than what we are feeling.

Take time this week to reflect on how you can show gratitude and be joyful in the midst of suffering. Think back to a time you walked through already or how you might react differently when you’re faced with another trial.