Unlock a Grateful Heart and Discover More Joy

Have you ever found yourself striving for joy, only to feel like it’s slipping through your fingers? Maybe you’re busy, overwhelmed, or just feeling stuck. You are not alone. But what if I told you that joy is closer than you think—and it starts when we unlock a grateful heart?

The Biblical Call to Gratitude

The Bible often speaks about Gratitude, encouraging us to live thankful lives, not only during the good times. Paul reminds us to:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
(I Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18 NIV)

Don’t you think expressing Gratitude in all circumstances is a challenge?

God calls us to this not because life will always be easy but because gratitude shifts our perspective, helping us to see His goodness—even when things are tough.

When Gratitude Seems Impossible

There are times when gratitude feels out of reach. I remember co-leading a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where everything seemed to unravel. Part of the team had not raised enough money ahead of time, so securing rooms at a nearby motel was impossible. Instead, we would stay in an empty house we had never seen. 

Fear Set In

Here, we were in a foreign country, dropped off on a dirt road; darkness surrounded us, and the vegetation was thick. My heart raced at what might jump from behind the unknowns. There was an eerie quietness to the late evening, as voices went silent as we approached the abandoned house we would call home for the next few days.

We entered the door armed with flashlights and flipped the switch to survey the empty room. But to no avail, electricity was not a luxury we would enjoy, at least not tonight. We crept around the small house when suddenly, our light caught the hairy legs of an enormous tarantula climbing up the wall. Screams erupted. I wanted to throw up my hands, cry, and run in the opposite direction. The irritability inside me towards those who hadn’t gotten their money in on time grew, and I was about to explode.

Using a carefully controlled tone, I set out to encourage others; after all, I was a leader. Determined, we would rise to the occasion. Yet, I’m the one who doesn’t even like to camp.

Count Those Blessings

A few of us ladies took the porch outside, thinking it was a safer choice than what might be lurking inside. I gave up my sleeping mat and snuggled tight on a twin blow-up raft with a friend. As I laid my head down, thinking slumber would never follow. But as I began to name my blessings—like having a roof over our heads, a home in the United States, and the chance to serve others—something shifted. Before I knew it, we were uncontrollably laughing and only stopped when the hushing came from within the house. Gratitude changed my heart, and peace and joy replaced my frustration.

Keep Counting

At dawn, we were jolted from our sleep by a rooster’s loud, harsh sounds. Immediately,  I began naming three more blessings. Then I jumped up and started surveying our surroundings in the light. That scary vegetation from the night before was lush green and beautiful. And would you believe that a swimming pool stood in the middle of the property, which would soon serve as our bathtub for all? But the best was yet to come. I smiled, knowing that soon we would meet up in the village with the people who had won my heart the year before. I was eager to share the experience with our new group.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Joy

We’ve heard since childhood that God is good, but life’s hardships, the mundane, or when we look at what others have, can sometimes make us doubt. Have you ever questioned God’s goodness? It’s normal, but gratitude helps us remember that God’s goodness never changes—no matter our circumstances.

After all, joy doesn’t have to come from a mountaintop moment. There is joy in the small things like a beautiful sunrise, a friend’s text, or a child’s wonder. Gratitude is the bridge that leads us to joy. We naturally shift our mindset when we focus on what God has given us instead of what’s lacking.

Practical Ways to Unlock a Grateful Heart

Choosing gratitude is intentional. It’s not something that happens accidentally, especially when life is hard. Here are a few practical ways to unlock a grateful heart and discover more joy:

1. Daily Gratitude Practice: Don’t let a day go by without acknowledging three things that bring you thoughts of gratitude. Write them down in a journal. They can be as simple as the smell of your coffee or a child’s laughter.
2. Gratitude in Prayer: Instead of jumping into requests, begin your prayers with thankfulness. Thank Jesus for what he has already done.
3. Serve Others: When we serve others, our focus shifts from ourselves to those in need. Serving not only blesses others but brings immense joy to our hearts. When someone thanks me for serving, it causes a moment of confusion because my reward almost always outweighs the sacrifice given. Has anyone else experienced this?
4. Participate in 30 days of Gratitude: a challenge where you commit to acknowledging and appreciating what you’re grateful for each day for a month. You can do this publicly or privately through a journal that we provide. This practice can help you cultivate a habit of gratitude. 

Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude

Discover how unlocking the power of thankfulness can help draw you closer to God and bring more joy into your life! Our 30-day gratitude workbook includes daily gratitude prompts, scriptures/quotes, and a place to record your thoughts. Our journal will be available free in November.

Join Our Challenge

The Power of Gratitude in Difficult Seasons

You might be reading this thinking, you don’t understand the season I’m in; there is no way I can find anything to be grateful for, and I’m not even sure God is good, at least not to me. I hear you; life is full of unexpected twists and hardships, and practicing thankfulness will not erase the pain. But here’s the truth: gratitude shines brightest in the darkest seasons.

Like you, I’ve had seasons of difficulty that are much more than discomfort from losing home amenities, as shared above. I’m rarely not in challenges of some sort. And when I find myself struggling to discover joy, it usually points to the need to unlock a grateful heart.

Do you know that I rarely noticed God’s beautiful creation daily before I walked into unbearable circumstances? I reserved it for vacations. Now, I seldom let a day go by without seeing how the trees sway in the wind and the multiple hues of green in the trees, and I thank Jesus for it all.

When life is tough, gratitude can become a hard choice to make—an intentional act of trust in God. Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, chose to sing hymns of praise to God. And what happened next? Joy followed.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”  
(Acts 16:25 NIV)

Gratitude Deepens Our Relationship with God

The best part of expressing gratitude to God is the closeness that follows with the Lord. Gratitude opens our hearts to see what God is doing in our lives and helps us trust His plan even when life doesn’t make sense. Then, as we trust Him and express our thankfulness, our joy multiplies.

We can also turn our worries into prayers of thanks.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Start Your Gratitude Journey Today

Where will you start today? It could be by adding gratitude to your prayers, starting a gratitude journal, or serving others. No matter where you begin, each step toward gratitude unlocks more joy.

Every November, we host a 30-Day Gratitude Challenge. I invite you to join us as we journey together, unlocking grateful hearts and discovering more joy in the process.

Joy is closer than you think. We can find it in the goodness of God, no matter the season. Let’s choose Gratitude today and let it transform us. 

My Prayer for Us

Lord, 

Thank you, Lord, for your goodness, love, and compassion. Please help us to set aside our distractions and discover the joy you have for us each day.

Please give each of us reading this a burning desire from within to unlock a grateful heart and experience the joy you have for each of us. 

Amen

What will be your first step to unlocking a grateful heart and discovering more joy in this season?

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