Thanksgiving Day is for celebrating life’s blessings.  But gratitude isn’t only for one day.  It’s a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment practice, of recognizing the grace and goodness in your life.

Yes, it’s true: Gratitude is an attitude.  And you can feel grateful when you keep your heart and mind open to see life as a treasure, not a struggle.  While it may sound hokey to say, “There’s always something to be grateful for,” your willingness and desire to be grateful, even for something tiny, directs your energy and attention toward all that’s positive and affirming.  So, even when life dishes out something disturbing, you can still give thanks.

The following scriptures invite you to contemplate some different aspects of gratitude so you can honor this spiritual practice all year long.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
God’s lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Psalm 118:29

However you refer to God (Higher Power, Divine Life Energy, etc.), being grateful is easier when you remember that God is the beneficence in the midst of you and everything occurring in your life.  The Psalmist is grateful for God’s unchanging, enduring love and compassion.  This reminds you that God is your divine creator, not a capricious puppeteer extending kindness to some and hardship to others.

• Reflect on the ways you recognize lovingkindness in yourself and in others.

“To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered.”
Daniel 2:23

In a dream, Daniel receives insight and is guided to follow his intuition.  He knows what God has done in the past, and he appreciates that he, too, has the spiritual understanding his ancestors had.  He knows also that he has the inner wisdom and spiritual power to follow his divine guidance.  He recognizes that his insights are illuminating what he must do to succeed.  Furthermore, he doesn’t question whether the guidance is valid.  He trusts his intuition and is grateful for answered prayer.

• Reflect on how your prayers are being answered and how your intuition is guiding you.

“Give thanks to the Lord; call upon God’s name; make known God’s deeds among the nations.  Sing praises of such great wonders.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-9

Fighting in the Middle East, global warming, hunger, poverty, COVID-19.  If you watch or listen to the news of the world all day, you could become despondent and hopeless.  King David has his own battles, but when he defers to God as supreme ruler, he can sing in joy, grateful for the ways that God is his—and all people’s—sustaining source and support.

• Reflect on the good news you’re witnessing in your life and around the world.

“Jesus raised his eyes, and said, “God, I thank you that you have heard me.  I know you always hear me; but I say this for the people standing with me, so they may believe.”
John 11:41-42

Before Jesus raises Lazarus, Jesus give thanks in advance for what he desires.  He doesn’t beg or demand that he get exactly what he wants.  He already knows that all things are possible for God, so he trusts in the best outcome.  He thanks God for his request being heard and his heart being known.  He is patient and assured as he allows divine order to unfold.

• Reflect on the ways your requests and desires are being heard as you await your perfect outcome.

“Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us give thanks, and revere God with awe.”
Hebrews 12:28

Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is among us and within us.  The Hebrews Writer assures you that this kingdom won’t falter when you affirm God as your solid foundation.  Therefore, you can be grateful for your firm footing, even when life is rocky.  Additionally, if you can let life unfold gently, rather than force your will, you’ll likely discover what’s best for you and your circumstances.

• Reflect on how God is the foundation for your life and the kingdom you’re establishing.

As you practice gratitude, know that you’re appreciating the divine power with you and within you, aligning yourself with universal life energy.  You aren’t worshipping any super heroes in the sky somewhere and expecting them to toss you heavenly gifts.  So, no matter how you celebrate your days of thanks, notice life’s infinite blessings.  Rejoice in your own spiritual journey, and savor the abundance and awe around you.

© 2023 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.

Photo from Shutterstock by malcolmthe.