notesbynora

Gratitude is one of the simplest spiritual practices, yet it has the power to transform the way we see everything. It shifts our eyes from what is missing to what God has faithfully provided. It softens anxious thoughts and steadies the heart. It reminds us that even on the hardest days, God’s goodness has never left us.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We often skim this verse and assume God is asking us to be thankful for all circumstances — but that’s not what it says. He asks us to give thanks in all circumstances. Gratitude doesn’t deny the pain or pretend everything is perfect. Instead, it illuminates the presence of God right in the middle of whatever we’re walking through.

I think of seasons in my life when gratitude felt like a choice rather than an emotion — moments when circumstances weren’t what I hoped for, when my heart was tired, or when the future felt uncertain. Yet even then, God gave me small reminders of His faithfulness: a child’s laughter, a sunrise, a kind word, the peace that settles the soul when we whisper, “Lord, I trust You.”

Gratitude turns those moments into altars — places in our hearts where we stop and remember, He’s been good to me.

When my life took unexpected turns — when dreams I once held dear slipped through my hands — gratitude became a lifeline. I learned that thankfulness isn’t something we feel only when everything goes right. Gratitude is an anchor we hold when the winds blow hard. It’s choosing to say, “Lord, You’re still worthy. You’re still faithful. You’re still here.”

Gratitude doesn’t erase sorrow, but it reframes it. It reminds us that God has been present in every chapter — the joyful ones and the ones that stretched us thin. I’ve learned to thank Him not just for the blessings I can see but also for the protection, redirection, and mercy I never even knew I needed.

And the beautiful thing? Gratitude grows. The more we practice it, the more our eyes begin to see God’s fingerprints everywhere — in the ordinary, the overlooked, the quiet. It changes the posture of our hearts.

Life may not always look the way we hope, but there is always, always something to thank God for. Even breath in our lungs is a gift. The people we love are a gift. Healing is a gift. Growth is a gift. Grace — oh, that is a gift beyond measure.

Today, pause for a moment and say, “Thank You, Lord.”
Not because everything is perfect, but because He is.

Prayer

Father, open my eyes to see Your goodness all around me. Teach me to cultivate a grateful heart — not only in joyful moments, but also in hard ones. Help me remember that gratitude draws me closer to You and reminds me of Your faithfulness in every season. Amen.