God Is in ControlSample

Day 19: The Daily Practice of Gratitude

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

There is a powerful Greek word that can change the way you see life: eucharisteo. Translated as “give thanks,” it carries a much deeper meaning. It comes from the roots eu (good) and charis (grace), and literally means “to acknowledge favor” or “to speak well of grace.”

When Paul instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances, he is not suggesting we deny pain or pretend everything is fine. Rather, it is a call to perceive a deeper reality: God's goodness and grace are present and active even in the midst of our difficulties.

Gratitude is more than a virtue; it is a weapon against despair and a practice that makes room for the peace of Christ. When you give thanks daily, your heart begins to perceive God's hand not only in the extraordinary, but also in the ordinary.

Start simple: every morning, before getting out of bed, ask yourself: "What are three ways God cared for me yesterday?" Perhaps it was a safe journey, a word of encouragement, unexpected strength in a difficult moment, or even the gift of life itself.

Gratitude has a multiplier effect. One thought of thanks leads to another, and soon your perspective shifts.

What seemed like coincidence reveals itself as God's care.

What seemed like a struggle becomes a testimony of His strength.

And remember: eucharisteo was the word Jesus used when giving thanks for the insufficient bread and fish before feeding the five thousand. He didn't wait for a miracle to give thanks; He gave thanks before, trusting in His Father's abundance.

Gratitude doesn't wait for perfect circumstances. It recognizes God's goodness in the midst of apparent lack.

Today, practice eucharisteo. Acknowledge God's grace in your life. Speak well of what He has already done. Allow gratitude to become the lens that redefines your story.

My Prayer:

Gracious God, forgive me for focusing on what I lack instead of being grateful for what You have already given me. Open my eyes to see Your grace at work in my life daily. Give me a Eucharistic heart, one that speaks well of Your grace even in the midst of difficulties. Transform my complaints into celebrations and my worries into worship. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Questions to Reflect:

1. What are three specific ways God has cared for you this past week that may have gone unnoticed?

2. How can cultivating a daily practice of gratitude change your perspective on the challenges you face today?