Our days can sometimes feel very weary, and life can be challenging. Circumstances might constantly be changing around us. We may find ourselves facing massive struggles. You may be going through difficult or long-lasting illness or a season of darkness that makes it seem like no matter how much we’ve prayed, it all still lingers on far too long.
In the middle of it all, we still have so much to be grateful for in this life.
For the days where it seems to be a sacrifice offering praise and thanks...
For the days when we’ve seen Him working in our circumstances…
And all of the days between that find us busy, or weary, distant, or troubled…
The Bible talks a lot about gratitude. Paul writes that we should: “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV)
As Christians, we have a double benefit from gratitude. Research shows that gratitude makes us happier even if we aren’t Christians, but secondly, as Christians, gratitude strengthens our relationship with God.
According to psychologist Robert Emmons, the leading researcher in the field, gratitude can change our lives. Gratefulness can have a lasting positive impact if we work towards incorporating it into our days. Research has shown that gratitude reduces stress, increases self-esteem, and improves relationships.
How wonderful we can reap the benefits of gratitude and have someone extraordinary to be grateful to—our God.
Practicing gratitude to God becomes a powerful way for us to live. Our hearts become glad when we are grateful to God. We affirm the good in our lives and recognize that the source of this goodness is from God. Thanksgiving can change the direction of our day.
Paul tells us to: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)
And we are told to: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4, NIV)
Gratitude also makes us less self-centered. It takes us outside of ourselves, focuses our attention on God, and draws us closer to Him. The expression of gratitude to God plays a pivotal role in our relationship with Him. Gratitude is like a glue that binds us to God.
While much of our gratitude is related to a positive experience, we must appreciate the good and the bad. Thanking God in difficult situations can also help us understand the good times more.
It may help if you develop a habit of stopping and saying grace before your daily activities.
G.K. Chesterton said,
“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing, and grace before I dip the pen in ink.”
Dear God,
Thank you for Your grace and Your mercy, that you are with us and will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for Your sacrifice on the cross so that we might have forgiveness, freedom, and joy. Forgive us when we don’t thank You enough for who You are, for all that You do, and all You’ve given. Please set our eyes and our hearts on You today. Lift up our spirits; fill us with Your peace and joy.
Shine Your light on us, in us, and through us today. May Your kingdom come; Your will be done in us today. Help us also make a difference in this world for Your glory, so Your purposes would stand. May we reflect Your healing and hope, presence, and peace that the world so desperately needs.
We need You, Lord, this day and every day. We offer You our meager praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.