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“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV
Life has many ups and downs. Sometimes we may feel we are on top of the world, and everything is as it should be. Other times, we may be emotional, physically or mentally on our last straw. This means at some points thankfulness and gratitude is easy, while at other times it may be the last thing on our minds.
As Christians, even when we are at our very lowest, we know we have salvation through Jesus Christ. What a beautiful gift this is for us — we cannot even fully comprehend the sacrifice and the grace he has given us. We can forever be grateful for this, no matter what is happening in our life or in the world around us.
“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” — 1 Samuel 12:24, NIV
Every single day we can give thanks to God for the great things He has done. Giving thanks does not have to be a grand gesture or complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as giving a prayer of thanks. Perhaps, we see a beautiful sunrise or enjoy a tasty meal. Maybe, we see someone do something kind or perhaps we have a little time to ourselves.
There are so many details in our daily lives that we can overlook if we are not careful. Each day brings new opportunity to be grateful and celebrate what God has done.
Psalm 13:5 says, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” We should treasure our salvation with thankfulness. Our hearts can rejoice in this. It is not dependent on our situation, works or feelings but rather on Jesus Christ.
Having gratitude involves our hearts and attitude. However, thankfulness can also be seen through our actions. It may take practice to rejoice and express gratitude. Here are some ways we can practice and become thankful people:
Grand Canyon University offers a unique Christian identity and mission and a welcoming campus environment. To read more, check out other Weekly Devotionals presented by the Department of Spiritual Life.
Approved by the Coordinator of the Department of Global Outreach on Oct. 26, 2022
