Fuel for the Journey

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.” Psalm 100:4 NLT

Thankfulness. It’s like a spiritual boost for your life, an energy drink for the journey. Thankfulness can supercharge you when you feel drained. It can be the wind in your sails moving you onward, the lift in your spirit carrying you upward.

A thankful heart can sweep you up out of the mundane and into the marvelous life-giving presence of God. And in his presence, there is everything you need.

If you’re hopeless, he is hope.

If you’re weary, he is strength.

If you’re lost, he is the way.

Even on the bleakest days, there is always something to praise God for, but it takes discipline to incorporate gratitude into your life. It may be as basic as saying thanks over a meal or beginning each morning with a prayer of gratitude for the mercy of a new day.

You might even list out things from yesterday that you are thankful for today. Did you have a good workday? Did you sleep well? Did you and a friend or spouse have a good conversation about a topic you’ve been putting off for way too long?

If you’re in a difficult time, then yes, pour out your heart before God, but begin by thanking him for who he is and what he has brought you through. Psalm 150 is an amazing display of boisterous, unhindered praise and thanksgiving, with the final admonishment, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Thankfulness will carry you a long way through this journey of life.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him half enough?” (Psalm 106:1­–2 NLT).

Pray:“God, I thank you for all you have done for me. Help me cultivate a heart of gratitude that will fuel me for life’s journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Seek: What are you thankful for? What can you praise God for? List ways that you can cultivate a heart of gratitude in your life.

Speak: Thank you, God, for your goodness! I thank you for another day to live.