Rediscovering Thanksgiving
Scripture Focus:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday—it’s a spiritual stance.
And in a world full of stress, noise, and negativity, gratitude has become more than a virtue… it’s a lifeline.
But real gratitude isn’t soft.
It takes grit to thank God when life feels unfair.
and faith to give thanks before anything changes.
and courage to be thankful in circumstances that don’t feel good yet.
The Bible shows us that grateful people weren’t living in perfect seasons:
- David thanked God in caves
- Jonah thanked God in a storm
- Paul thanked God in prison
- Jesus gave thanks before the miracle
Gratitude isn’t the result of a good season—it’s the strength that carries you through one.
As we move through Thanksgiving and into the holidays, choose a gratitude that is honest, gritty, and rooted in God’s goodness. Not the picture-perfect, surface kind—the kind that pushes back against fear and pulls you closer to God.
Because gratitude doesn’t deny your struggle…
it reminds your soul who is in control.
Gratitude & Grit – Reflection Questions
- What is one difficult area where you can thank God in the circumstance—not for it, but in it?
- How has gratitude shifted your heart in past seasons?
- Who is one person you can express gratitude toward this week?
Gratitude & Grit Challenge (7 Days)
Each day this week:
- Say one gritty gratitude declaration:
“Lord, I thank You even here.” - Thank God for one hard thing He’s using to grow you.
- Tell one person why you’re thankful for them.
Little by little, gratitude rebuilds strength.
Closing Prayer
Father, teach me to practice a gratitude that is real, courageous, and rooted in Your goodness. Give me strength in the hard places and eyes to see Your hand in every season. Amen.