“…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

One year ago, my wife had an aggressive meningioma resected by a highly skilled neurosurgeon. Due to its higher grade, there has been about a 50 percent risk of recurrence. Today, my wife had her one-year post op MRI.

She described her experience with these words. “As they were sliding me back into the machine, I just felt like thanking God for everything…for the technology evaluating me, for my life, my children, my ability to see and hear and enjoy life. I had no fear of the results, whatever they were, just thankfulness.”

My precious wife doesn’t preach about her faith. It seeps from her heart and infects the world.

She didn’t reason out that it was right to thank God in scary circumstances. She was truly thankful. She had not memorized 1 Thessalonians 5:18; it was stamped on her heart.

When my wife and I take trips together, she always drives…to let me know who is in charge. The driver gets to choose the radio station, and she consistently chooses contemporary Christian music. Sometimes, poets and musicians get it right in ways we can remember:

Even if my dreams fall to the ground
Even if I’m lost, I know I’m found
Even if…

My heart will somehow say, “Hallelujah” anyway!

—Rend Collective

The only way through it is a hallelujah.
Sometimes the only thing to do is just to hand it to Ya.

—Blessing Offor

Sometimes you’ve gotta praise in the prison
Cry out to heaven
Shout it ‘til the doors swing wide
Sometimes you’ve gotta stand on your shackles
Brave in the battle
Worship with your hands held high…I’ll praise you anywhere!
—Brandon Lake

I’m gonna sing in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar!
Up from the ashes hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
—Hillsong United

Praise and thanksgiving are two sides of the same coin. What song do you sing in the middle of the storm?

Dear God,

Fill my heart with thanksgiving and my voice with praise.

Amen