Beyond Thanksgiving
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I pray yours was lovely and meaningful in all the ways that matter most. I understand that, for some, the day carried mixed emotions as you missed people you love. Holidays can be tender, even painful. But God is gracious to comfort us when our hearts are heavy, reminding us He is near, and His love never fails.
Wherever you found yourself this holiday—joy overflowing, joy depleted, or somewhere in between—I pray you were able to connect to gratitude. Yet not gratitude for circumstances that shift and change, but for God who never does.
Life in this world is a continual rhythm of joy and sorrow. But the good news is this: through it all, God remains faithful. He never changes. In every season He is good, and He is God. And this is the truth we lean into beyond Thanksgiving. Because gratitude isn’t seasonal. It’s a never‑ending response to our faithful God.
Gratitude in Scripture
Through Scripture we understand that gratitude is the rightful response to all things God—who He is, what He has made, and what He has done. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I know and believe this to be true and good.
Yet, the question I have—perhaps you do as well, is: how? How do we practically walk in gratitude on ordinary days? The days beyond Thanksgiving, when life resumes its regular rhythm of joys and sorrows, highs and lows, moments that are good, not so good, and even painfully hard.
Practical Ways to Walk in Gratitude
Here are a few ways to make gratitude part of your daily rhythm:
Begin each day with a declaration. Say, “Thank You, God—this is Your day. I will rejoice” (Psalm 118:24). This sets the tone for everything that follows.
Practice intentional thanks throughout the day. Thank God for everything: provision, wisdom, guidance, protection, comfort, counsel, even challenges that strengthen you.
Keep a gratitude journal. Record specific ways God has blessed you, then rehearse and share these blessings with others.
Frame your prayers with thanksgiving. Begin and end your daily prayers with gratitude. This empowers you to pray with a heart posture that pleases God.
Encourage others. Let gratitude overflow into your relationships, because gratitude is contagious.
Worship. Worship through singing, serving, giving, praying, working, and resting. Gratitude finds its fullest expression in worship.
Each of these practices reminds us that God is the source of every blessing, worthy of our heartfelt gratitude in every season.
So today, make the commitment to connect to gratitude knowing God is good, unchanging, and continually deserving of our thanks. Then take intentional steps to put gratitude into practice. Next, allow the gratitude in your heart to overflow in words of blessing and encouragement to others. Do this knowing gratitude is contagious—in the best and most blessed of ways!
And finally, let’s lean into gratitude together today, tomorrow, beyond Thanksgiving, and always.
Pray
Father, thank You for Your unchanging goodness and faithfulness. Teach me to live with gratitude—not just in special seasons, but in every moment. May my gratitude for You be evidenced in the way I live. And may it also encourage others to recognize Your faithful love and consistent goodness.
In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.
Reflect
What is one specific way you can express gratitude to our faithful God today and how might that gratitude overflow to bless someone else?
Friends, I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to share your responses in the comment section below, or with me and others HERE!