3 February 2025: Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

There was a time in my life when nothing seemed to go right. I lost a job opportunity, faced health challenges, and felt distant from God. I found myself constantly complaining and questioning why things weren’t going the way I had hoped. One evening, as I sat in frustration, I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit: “Give thanks.”

At first, it felt impossible. How could I be grateful when everything seemed to be going wrong? But I decided to try. I took out a journal and began listing things I was thankful for—my family, my faith, and even small things like the warmth of my home and the beauty of a sunset. As I wrote, I noticed something shift in my heart. My circumstances hadn’t changed, but my perspective had. Gratitude had opened my eyes to the goodness of God even in the midst of difficulty.

Gratitude is a powerful act of faith. It reminds us that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. No matter what you are facing today, take a moment to thank Him. You might be surprised at how it changes your heart.

Lord, open my eyes to the blessings around me. Help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Amen.