Gratitude First

Read

2 Chronicles 20:20-22 “Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.’ After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever. ‘As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”

Think

In the fall of 1620, 102 Pilgrims set sail for a new life, hopeful yet unaware of the trials that awaited them. Their journey was grueling, and their arrival in Massachusetts was far north of their intended destination. They landed just as winter was setting in, and soon the harsh cold and rampant illness took a devastating toll. By the time spring arrived, half of the Pilgrims had died from starvation and disease. And yet, in the face of unimaginable loss, they chose to give thanks.

What would cause people to give thanks amidst such suffering? The Pilgrims were inspired by the Israelites in Scripture, who had also endured hardship yet continued to thank God in all circumstances. In 2 Chronicles 20, the Israelites were instructed to praise God even before their deliverance came. For both the Pilgrims and the Israelites, gratitude was not about their current conditions—it was about their faith in a faithful God.

This kind of gratitude doesn’t come naturally; it requires a steadfast trust in God’s goodness. For the Pilgrims, giving thanks became a daily discipline, a way to shift their focus from what they had lost to the blessings they still held. They chose to see God's hand at work even in small provisions, knowing that gratitude could reshape their perspective.

Today, we are invited to practice the same active gratitude. In our own seasons of hardship, when loss and struggle cloud our vision, we can choose to be thankful—not because of our circumstances, but because of who God is. Like the Pilgrims and the Israelites, we too can find strength by trusting in his unwavering goodness, letting gratitude become our path to peace and resilience.

Apply

Take practical steps forward in faith, knowing God is with you. Whether it’s making a call, applying for a job, or having a tough conversation, trust that God is guiding each step.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I come to you with all my worries, trusting that you are in control. I admit I don’t always know what to do, but I choose to keep my eyes on you. Help me to trust that you’re fighting my battles and give me the strength to praise you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.