Giving Thanks to God When We Do Not Feel Grateful

Giving Thanks to God When We Do Not Feel Grateful

From Family Matters by Pres. Kerry Pappas, Pres. Melanie DiStefano, and Ancient Faith Ministries

November 21, 2025

About this episode

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Yagze discusses maintaining a relationship with God during difficult times and the importance of gratitude.

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Yagze, currently the Pastor of St George Orthodox Church in Fishers, Indiana and Fully Human Steering Committee member, shares insights on keeping our relationship with God open and authentic every day, and specifically during the challenging times in our lives. He lifts up examples of people in Holy Scriptures who remained in conversation with God in the midst of trials and suffering, and how we can revisit prayers in the Holy Eucharist — literally translated from the Greek as Holy Thanksgiving — to express gratitude to God. Father also shares how Christ carried him through personally painful family experiences, and what we can do to grow gratitude in our hearts. The answer is a life focused on and immersed in Jesus Christ Who offers us the Way, as He offers us Himself entirely unto our healing and wholeness. Listen more to hear particular ways we can focus on and live in Christ's love.

People in this episode

Hosts: Pres. Kerry Pappas, Pres. Melanie DiStefano

Guest: Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Yagze

Topics covered

  • gratitude
  • faith
  • spiritual growth
  • prayer
  • Christianity
  • suffering
  • relationship with God

Keywords

  • gratitude
  • God
  • prayer
  • Eucharist
  • Christian faith
  • suffering
  • spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: St George Orthodox Church, Fully Human Steering Committee

Places: Fishers, Indiana

More episodes of Family Matters

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Family Matters podcast page.