40-Day Worship Experience Youth DevotionalSample

We have been looking at this simple but powerful prayer, “Jesus, thank you.” Gratitude doesn’t mean being happy when bad things happen. The point is to remain thankful even when bad things happen. It’s to make gratitude a way of life.

Thankfulness is like a filter to see the world through. When you are a grateful person, you look at things differently. You see hope on the horizon. You believe that God is working all things together for good.

Practicing thankfulness invites God to work in new ways in every circumstance, no matter what difficulties you face. It is a daily choice that helps you resist negative reactions like resentment, bitterness, and rage, and it helps you remain in the flow of the Spirit.

Gratitude also releases dopamine, serotonin, and other “feel-good” chemicals, as I mentioned earlier. That means practicing thankfulness makes you feel happier. It releases joy and peace.

To increase your gratitude, consider making a thankfulness list. Write out everything you’re thankful for and add to the list daily. This will help keep grumbling and complaining from taking hold in your heart, and it will be a protection against the traps of comparison and jealousy.

Reflect

What does choosing a filter of gratitude mean to you? How does gratitude help you see things differently?