A Grateful Heart Opens The Door To Abundance

In every situation [no matter what the circumstances], be thankful and continually give thanks to God, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified Bible

What does it mean to have a grateful heart?

Thanksgiving was always my father’s favorite holiday. Every year, my mother would make our family’s favorite meals, and we would gather around the table to thank the Lord for His blessings. As a child and even into my early adulthood, I struggled to understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. That all changed during one memorable Thanksgiving Day when the Lord blessed me with my first child while we were preparing the holiday meal. She was supposed to arrive on December 13th, but the Lord had other plans.

About five months before her birth, my parents retired and returned to their native country, the Dominican Republic. Of course, they planned to return to the US in December for the baby’s birth. At that time, my husband and I lived in Washington, DC, and we decided to spend the Thanksgiving break with my in-laws in New York. Since I was so close to my due date, my doctor advised me against traveling back home. So, we decided to stay in New York with my husband’s family.

On Thanksgiving Day, while the family was busy preparing the meal, I started to have minor contractions, but I thought they were just false alarms and continued helping with the cooking. But when the meal was ready, and everyone gathered around the table, my contractions grew stronger, and my water broke. In that moment, time seemed to stop. Amidst the flurry of chaos, as my family rushed to get me to the hospital, I found myself praying, “Lord, if you’re letting my baby come early, please protect her and the both of us.”

Looking back today, the dash to the hospital seemed rather funny. My in-laws lived on the 14th floor, and the elevator was out of service that day. So, my husband and his family decided to help me walk down all 14 flights, stopping on each floor so I could catch my breath and stop screaming. All I could think was, Please, Lord, take care of my baby. Don’t let anything happen to her.” In the meantime, my mother, who was not a believer, was attending a Christian retreat with a friend, and there was no means of reaching her.

Long story short, I gave birth to my baby just 15 minutes after I got to the hospital. The doctor told us that she was a little premature and would need to be put in an incubator for observation. It broke my heart to hear that news, but I cried out to the Lord and thanked Him first for the incredible Thanksgiving gift of my daughter. I also thanked Him for protecting us, trusting He would work everything out for our good. I was devastated that I had to leave my daughter in the hospital, but giving my worries to the Lord and thanking Him amid such pain gave me a peace I had never known before. I kissed my baby goodbye and gently whispered, “Mommy will return tonight to take you home. The Lord is with you and will bring you back to me.”

After spending a few hours with my in-laws, I returned to the hospital to pick up my daughter. Despite the doctor’s advice, I believed in my heart that the Lord would allow me to bring my baby home, even while my family thought I was crazy. Once again, the Lord showed up and exceeded our expectations, making it possible for me to bring her home that night.

Remarkably, the birth of my daughter also marked a turning point in my mother’s life, for she accepted Jesus into her heart that same night.  So, for the past forty-two years, we have gathered together every Thanksgiving to celebrate the gift the Lord gave us on that special day.

How can we cultivate an attitude of thankfulness in the midst of grief, chaos, and difficult circumstances? A passage that speaks to me in trying times is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, “In every situation [no matter the circumstances], be thankful and continually give thanks to God, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

My pastors explained that the true meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is that gratitude is about developing an attitude of thankfulness, even in the face of adversity. By adopting an attitude of gratitude, we can change our viewpoint, enabling us to recognize the small blessings that still shine through in the face of hardship. We need to focus on being grateful for the small things God does for us every day. Isolation and depression often creep in when we overlook the good in our lives. By actively choosing to be thankful, we can change our focus away from discouragement. This way of thinking improves our mood and general well-being by reminding us that there is always something to be grateful for.

This Thanksgiving, let’s make a commitment to practice gratitude and recognize how it can change our lives despite our current situation. Being grateful shouldn’t just be a passing emotion but a habit that changes how we see the world.

How can we develop an attitude of gratitude? Here are some steps that have motivated me on my journey:

1. Make a Gratitude List: Start by thinking about things that make you happy in life. Write down three to five things you genuinely appreciate, like having a warm cup of coffee, family warmth, a stable job, or supportive relationships in your life. Be honest and detailed. What little things made you smile today?
2. Find Your Visibility Spot: Put your list in a location where you can constantly see it, such as next to your bed or on the mirror in your bathroom. Every day should begin and end with a reminder of the good things in your life. One of my favorite strategies is to write down in a journal, or Post-it notes the things God has done for me, along with a passage from the Bible that encourages me.
3. Express Your Gratitude: Practice gratitude by saying it out loud. Saying “thank you” to the Lord as soon as you wake up is a beautiful way to reinforce those positive feelings. Speaking these words engages your senses and allows you to internalize your appreciation deeply. Can you recall a time when God showed up and exceeded your expectations?
4. Train Your Brain: Remember that you can change the way you think. By continuously focusing on the positives, you can train your mind to see and appreciate the good, even during difficult times. Turn your attention from what you don’t have to what you do have. This is something I understood when I had to leave my baby at the hospital. Are you giving thanks to the Lord in every situation, even when you can’t see any changes right now?
5. Be Honest with the Lord: Acknowledge your struggles. Life’s challenges can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to feel that way sometimes. Focusing on gratitude can strengthen your faith and resilience, which can help you get through hard times with a positive attitude. Ask the Lord to help you keep your eyes on Him despite the storm you are currently going through.
6. Express Your Thanks to the Lord: Take a moment to express your gratitude—not just to yourself, but outwardly as well. Sometimes, we focus more on the negative rather than the good things God has done for us. Being genuinely grateful is more than just thanking God for our blessings and expressing our needs and concerns; it is a deeper connection to the grace in our lives. It’s about maintaining a grateful heart, even when things are hard (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Being thankful changes how you see the world and helps you recognize small blessings amid hardship. Acknowledging what we have rather than fixating on what we lack fosters more profound satisfaction and a more fulfilling life.

By making these habits a part of our daily routine, we can develop a powerful attitude of gratitude that makes our lives better, even when things are hard. The Apostle Paul instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in all circumstances. As followers of Jesus, expressing gratitude for all God has done for us should be a fundamental quality of our character. This kind of gracious attitude sets us apart in our surroundings and also serves as a powerful example of Christ’s love.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, in moments of temptation to complain about my situation, help me focus on You and remain thankful for Your unwavering faithfulness. As I pray with gratitude, I believe that You will pave the way for me. I am committed to surrendering my plans to You and opening my heart for Your guidance and strength, regardless of the circumstances. I trust that You will care for me and my family and bless all that concerns me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reference

The Holy Bible: The Amplified Bible. 1987. 2015. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.