Have you ever noticed how a simple "thank you" can change your whole day? It's more than good manners. Gratitude is powerful! It’s a beautiful gift from God that can completely transform our lives.
When we choose to be thankful, we open our hearts to see all the good things God is doing. The Bible reminds us of this often.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Gratitude isn't just a suggestion. It's a key to unlocking a life filled with joy and peace!
Jump to Book Recommendations for Gratitude/ Thankfulness
Why Practice Thankfulness?
Think of gratitude as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets! Practicing thankfulness is a spiritual discipline that helps us grow closer to God. When we focus on our blessings, we shift our perspective from what’s wrong to what’s right. This simple act can change everything.
Feeling overwhelmed? Try listing three things you’re grateful for. Did you enjoy a warm cup of coffee this morning? Thank God for it! Did a friend send you an encouraging text? That's a blessing! Gratitude helps us recognize God’s presence in the small, everyday moments. It reminds us that He is always with us, providing for us in countless ways.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23
Every single day is a new start, filled with freshly-brewed mercies. What an amazing reason to be thankful!
The Benefits of Being Thankful
Living with a grateful heart does more than just make you feel good. It has real benefits!
- It Deepens Your Faith: Gratitude anchors you to God's goodness. When you constantly see His hand in your life, your trust in Him grows stronger. You remember His past faithfulness and feel more confident about your future.
- It Fights Off Negativity: A thankful mind has little room for worry or complaint. By focusing on blessings, you push out anxious thoughts and replace them with peace. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about whatever is true, honorable, and lovely. Gratitude helps us do just that!
- It Spreads Joy to Others: A grateful person is a joyful person! Your positive attitude can be a light to those around you. When you express thanks, you inspire others to do the same, creating a beautiful ripple effect of joy.
So, how can you start building your gratitude muscle today? Maybe you could start a gratitude journal. Or perhaps you can make it a point to thank one person each day. You could even just
pause right now and thank God for the breath in your lungs.
Let’s embrace this incredible gift. Let’s make gratitude a daily habit.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! — Psalm 100:4
Let's step into the joy He has waiting for us.
Book Recommendations for Gratitude/ Thankfulness
Jesus Calling Practicing Thankfulness by Sarah Young — Experience the peace of a thankful heart in all circumstances with this 6-session Jesus Calling Bible Study. In this study you will explore how you can switch your perspective to view your life more through the lens of abundance than of lack. You will explore what the Bible has to say about the many ways that God provides for you, learn why you should give thanks to him (in every situation) for this abundance, and discover how to truly make thankfulness a part of your daily life. Learn more.
The Weekly Gratitude Project — Change your mindset and your life when you cultivate a habit of gratitude for all God's blessings in your life. It's time to start a project that will grow a grateful heart. The Weekly Gratitude Project is a 52-week guided gratitude journal that offers you a life-changing journey through reflection prompts and inviting questions to guide you into a deeper relationship with God. This yearly gratitude journal features beautifully illustrated journaling pages that will help you discover more intimacy and joy in your spiritual life. Learn more.
I Will Give Thanks by Becky Shannon — God's goodness and grace abounds whether your heart is full or your needs are many. Discover how a spirit of gratitude brings peace and hope to your days in I Will Give Thanks, a 90-day devotional by author and illustrator Becky Shannon full of thoughtful reflections and beautiful original artwork. No matter the kind of day, messy or mundane, spending time reflecting on God's provision and care will feed your mind and spirit by cultivating a habit of gratitude. In this uplifting book, you will find that thankfulness is not an obligation but an invitation. When you have eyes to see God's goodness around you — whether in an unexpected note from a friend, a stunning sunrise, or even in difficult seasons of illness or anxiety — you can know Him more. Learn more.
Gifts and Gratitudes by Ann Voskamp — Discover the joy and well-being that comes with the daily expression of gratitude. Join New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp to create a rhythm of gratitude that permeates every area of your life, every day of the year. Gifts and Gratitudes is a daily companion that urges you to savor every moment by recognizing and listing only three things you are grateful for each day. This life-altering practice will allow you to record and reflect upon more than one thousand gifts of blessing throughout the year. Learn more.
Growing Grateful by Mary A. Kassian — In Growing Grateful, author Mary A. Kassian guides you through 101 daily devotions on how the habit of gratitude will foster happiness in your life no matter what the day holds—the kind of happy that blooms in every season along the pathway of life’s ups and downs. Each daily entry in this beautiful and inspiring book gives you a meaningful Bible verse, a short entry that helps you reflect on your own attitude of gratitude, and a meditation with reflection questions to consider or to write about in your journal. Learn more.
5-Minute Gratitude Journal — FaithGateway Exclusive — Can 5 minutes of thankfulness change the rest of your day? What about the rest of your life? When we allow the stressors of life to take over our perspective, we tend lose sight of just how miraculously beautiful this world is. We miss the small, glorious moments that can set our souls afire and make our cups overflow. So, what if we stopped, for just 5 minutes a day and wrote down something that we are grateful for? Instead of letting our day to day troubles pull us under, what if we allow our blessings to help us rise? This daily journal that provides an opportunity to cultivate a grateful and beholden outlook on the everyday miracle called life. And it's only available from the FaithGateway Store! Learn more.
Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful by Drew Hyun — Weaving a rich tapestry of Christian tradition and personal illustrations, Hyun offers Christianity as a true and compelling vision for life that faithfully points the way through loss to true beauty. He presents three deep practices that can build lasting spiritual resilience and help you learn how to grow through life's losses and disappointments. By exploring these contemplative spiritual practices — Gratitude, Grieving, and Grace — as a means of centering your life more fully into a holistic spirituality, you can uncover meaningful responses to the full range of lived experiences that will lead you to a grounded yet transcendent hope. Learn more.
Giving Thanks to God by Sarah Young — In this study, you will explore what God's Word has to say about the many ways He provides for you — and why you should give thanks to Him for this abundance. Even when you are going through trials, you can have an attitude of thankfulness, for the Bible says that you have been given "every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). When you realize the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile you to Himself, it naturally causes you to want to praise Him! Learn more.
Devotions for the Fall — In Devotions for the Fall, you will find 40 devotions that include a Scripture reading along with reflections on a fall theme that connects back to your everyday life and encouragement to embrace God on a daily basis. Devotions for the Fall also includes: Festive photographs to get you into the spirit of joy and thanks, Inspiring quotes and prayers of thanksgiving, Ideas for fun fall activities and traditions, Fall-inspired recipes to warm your heart. Learn more.
365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart — Discover the secret to a happy life when you cultivate a thankful heart for all the ways God has blessed you. No matter how difficult life seems, you will find more joy when you choose gratitude. Boost your happiness and deepen your walk with God by becoming aware of all you have to appreciate. 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart is a daily devotional that will inspire you to slow down, recognize God’s gifts, and be grateful for all His blessings. Scripture tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” but some days that's hard to do! The short, uplifting devotions in 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart will help you begin to recognize all the ways God is providing His love and guidance to you right now. As you develop a fresh awareness of His presence, you'll grow in gratitude — guaranteed! Learn more.
100 Days of Thanks — The rush of a busy schedule, a barrage of disheartening news stories, and the wear and tear of everyday life can be enough to drag anyone down. Simply pausing to recognize and express thanks for the good gifts that surround you has proven to make a major difference in happiness, peace, and contentment. 100 Days of Thanks, a beautifully designed inspirational book of short readings, Scripture verses, and journaling space is the perfect tool to promote Christian mindfulness and gratitude. Whether you are looking for a thoughtful gift to encourage a loved one or a simple tool to create a habit of thankfulness, this lovely little book is a wonderful place to start. Learn more.
Gratitude Journal for Kids
1-Minute Gratitude Journal — Kids will discover how to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness through the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal, an interactive guide to helping children reflect on the good in every day and appreciate the positive things in their lives. From giggly playdates to favorite meals to family game night, kids have a lot to enjoy in the world around them. With its interactive elements and kid-friendly layout, the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal helps children explore their feelings and focus on life's blessings—a daily practice that will provide benefits for years to come. Learn more.