The Power of Gratitude

I recently read a devotional that grabbed a hold of my heart. “Your petitions are heard, but it’s the gratitude that clears the way to My Heart.” That line made me sit back and asked myself, Do I really express my gratitude to God? Have I let the busyness, and the overwhelm of daily life cloud my sense of thankfulness? Between the laundry piles, the meals, the schedules, the emotional demands, and the moments where it feels like no one sees what we carry it’s easy to fall into survival mode. But when we drift too far, we stop noticing the little things, in those quiet often overlooked moments that gently remind us of God’s presence and goodness in the middle of our day. They are the very things that help carry us through our days.

So what is gratitude, really?

Gratitude is not just saying "Thank you". Gratitude is a heart posture. It’s choosing to see God’s fingerprints even in the hard moments. Remember that you are held, even when life feels unsteady. Gratitude is not ignoring your pain or pretending things are perfect. It’s about pausing to say, Lord, even here, even now, thank You. Gratitude is choosing to see God’s goodness in the everyday rhythms of serving, nurturing, and managing our homes. Recognizing the beauty in the ordinary and thanking God for the opportunity to love others through simple acts. 

It can be thanking God for the quiet mornings before everyone wakes up, the strength to take care of your families needs, the encouraging text you received from a friend. Gratitude has a way of helping you see things differently. Instead of getting stuck on what feels overlooked or frustrating, it shifts your heart toward what really matters and reminds you that those small, everyday things actually mean a lot.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

God knows we’ll walk through hard things, but even in those places, He invites us to see the good, stay connected to His presence, and to remember His faithfulness.

Now how can we practice gratitude in real life?

• Start your day with one thing you’re thankful for. Before the to do list begins, whisper a simple thank You to God.

• Write it down. Keep a gratitude journal on your nightstand or in the kitchen. Write down small things like a kind word from your child, a moment of quiet, a hot cup of coffee.

• Speak it out loud. Tell your spouse or kids one thing you’re thankful for about them. Gratitude will grow when it’s shared.

• Pray with praise. Let your prayers begin with thanks not with requests. Thank God for what He’s already done and what He’s still doing.

Why does gratitude matter to God? 

Because gratitude keeps our hearts soft and in alignment with Him. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we already have. It reminds us that God is good, even when life is hard. Gratefulness opens the door for deeper intimacy with Him. When we practice gratitude, we tune our heart to God’s frequency. We become more aware of His mercy at work especially in moments we would have rushed past. Gratitude doesn’t just help us appreciate what we have, it helps us align with the One who gives it.

Today, even if you’re weary, tired, and overwhelmed try looking for the little things. A quiet moment. A child’s laugh. A warm breeze. A verse that speaks directly to you. Allow those small sparks of gratitude bring light to your heart.