Giving thanks to God is something we know is important to do but is easy to neglect when the pressing demands of life weigh us down. When I pause to give thanks, my spirit lifts, and it always helps shift my perspective on my current circumstances. When I begin to complain more than give thanks, God gets my attention and reminds me it is time to be grateful. Despite our personal struggles, uncertainties, or global crises, we can choose to give thanks daily.
Giving thanks doesn't mean our challenges will instantly cease, but it is an opportunity for us to draw closer to God, encourage our souls, and renew our minds. When I give thanks, it always helps to realign my attitude, settle my spirit, and encourage me to keep pressing forward.
If you desire to give thanks more daily, here are four valuable tools to help you maintain a grateful heart:
1. God’s Word (The Bible)
Reading the Bible and meditating on scripture is a valuable tool to maintain a grateful heart. God’s promises reassure us, and the Bible’s stories remind us that we are not alone. For every situation we face, there is a person in the Bible who has faced a comparable situation, and God has sustained him or her. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). Psalm 136:1 reassures us that giving thanks to God keeps God’s goodness fresh on our minds and hearts.
Although many heroes in the Bible faced challenging circumstances, each still chose to praise and give God thanks. Despite facing ongoing hardships, David gave thanks throughout the Psalms. After facing many years of infertility, uncertainty, and praying for a child, Hannah continued to give thanks and worship God. Jesus thanked God numerous times for His presence, wisdom, provision, and guidance during his ministry.
From numerous biblical stories, it is evident that giving thanks was a necessary and vital way for people to navigate difficult seasons. Giving thanks is also a powerful tool to help direct us and overcome life’s challenges. Find one or two scriptures you can read and meditate on to encourage your spirit. When you need encouragement, let God’s Word renew, revive, and revitalize your spirit, and give thanks to God for His continued faithfulness. Today, I invite you to allow God’s promises to refresh you and help you maintain a grateful heart.
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2. A Gratitude Journal
Writing in a gratitude journal also helps me maintain a grateful heart. When I write down what I am thankful for, it brings me more peace and helps me see God’s continual presence and provision in my life. When I need encouragement, opening my gratitude journal empowers me to keep moving forward when I want to give up. I invite you to write three to five things you are grateful for to help encourage your spirit and remind you of God’s continued faithfulness.
God is always moving in our lives in big and small ways. Let's take the time to reflect on and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. After writing in a gratitude journal what you are grateful for, be creative by drawing in your journal as an expression of worship. When you need a quick reminder of what you are grateful for, hang those things in an easily accessible place so that you can refer to them as needed.
Your journal does not have to be expensive or fancy; it's more important that you take a few minutes to write down what you are grateful for so you can reflect on those things and gain strength and encouragement from them in the future.
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3. Worship Music
Listening to worship music also helps me give thanks to God and rejuvenates my spirit. Meditating on the worship song lyrics often comforts me and reassures me of God’s consistent presence, ultimate sovereignty, and redeeming grace. Singing worship songs helps us give God thanks and keeps us connected to Him. When you do not have the words to say or are overwhelmed by emotions, let God minister and speak to you through worship song lyrics. Maintaining a grateful heart is an act of worship that keeps us connected to God through a variety of methods. Today, I invite you to listen and/or sing your favorite worship song to help strengthen your faith, encourage your spirit, and keep a fresh song of praise to God on your lips. Let the worship music help you give thanks when you want to complain or lose sight of God’s faithfulness. Singing praise and worship songs also helps us shift our focus to God instead of dwelling on our circumstances.
When it is easier to wallow in pity or stay stuck in our feelings, singing worship songs can help lift us out of our despair and cultivate a more consistent habit of giving thanks to God. Today, I invite you to be creative in how you give thanks. There is no one “right” way to give thanks. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and be free to listen to worship music in silence or sing loud praises to God. Allow worship music to strengthen, sustain, and propel you to keep moving forward.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
4. Devotionals
Reading devotionals has always been a part of my quiet time for the past several years. I receive encouragement hearing the joys and struggles of others and how God helped them overcome. Reading related stories of other people reminds and reassures me that I am not alone and that God has not forgotten about me. When we are consumed with our daily demands, it is easy to become so focused on navigating our own circumstances without realizing others are going through similar situations. If you have limited time and cannot read a hard-copy book, you can listen to audiobooks or various Bible apps with devotionals. Today, I invite you to read or listen to devotionals for encouragement and as another invitation for you to give thanks to God for His many blessings and all the ways He has sustained you through challenges in your life.
As you continue to navigate personal and collective challenges, I invite you to continue giving thanks to God and use the tools above to maintain a grateful heart. Reading and meditating on God’s Word, writing in a gratitude journal, listening to worship music, and reading devotionals are valuable tools in helping to maintain a grateful heart. Despite the challenges we face, giving thanks is an important way to uplift our spirits, renew our minds, and realign our perspective. Maintaining a grateful heart is essential to staying connected to God and helps remind us of God’s continual provision and faithfulness in our lives.
When you need encouragement or are feeling defeated, do not lose hope. Reflect on all the ways God has comforted, strengthened, and kept you during difficult seasons. When we are going through difficult seasons, it is easy to disengage and stop giving thanks. However, there is always something to be grateful for, and maintaining a grateful heart helps motivate us to keep moving forward.
Photo Credit: ©Ben White/Unsplash
Originally published Wednesday, 19 February 2025.
