In this short video, Natalie was just four years old when she arrived at Las Palmas Children’s Village, run by International Children’s Care (ICC) in the Dominican Republic. Her mother’s dying wish was for her to be cared for there. Tragically, her father passed away a year later. Despite a difficult start, Natalie grew up in a loving environment that taught her about Jesus and His love for all children. As an adult, Natalie reflects on her life with gratitude, thankful for the blessings she received at ICC despite her early losses.
During this season of Thanksgiving, here’s a question to ponder: Do you spend more time focusing on challenges, conflict, and heartache, or do you joyfully reflect on your blessings? In your conversations with God, what dominates your thoughts?
The Bible encourages gratitude:
- “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
- “Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 100:4-5)
- “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
- “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Research shows that practicing gratitude leads to higher satisfaction and happiness. It enhances positive emotions, well-being, and relationships while improving overall physical health. Simple acts like gratitude journaling or writing thank-you notes can significantly boost feelings of joy and satisfaction.
Personally, I find it challenging to maintain a grateful heart. My instinct is to dwell on hardship, often comparing myself to others who seem to have it easier. At times, I feel numb, not experiencing any real sense of gratefulness. Intellectually, I know I am blessed—many others are worse off than I am. However, transferring head knowledge to heartfelt gratitude can be difficult. As a Christian, I know I should be thankful for my blessings, but it requires conscious effort to shift my perspective.
How, then, do we develop an “attitude of gratitude?” What if we surrendered this burden to God? What if we asked Him to transform our hearts, replacing our inward-focused nature with gratitude? As Psalm 51:10 states, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ezekiel 36:26 echoes this promise: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” God promises to change our hearts if we ask Him.
Maintaining a gratitude journal can help, and prayer is even more powerful. We have the privilege of bringing our praises and needs to God. Many find that combining a gratitude and prayer journal as part of a devotional experience allows us to focus our thoughts on God’s goodness and reminds us of His faithfulness. If journaling feels daunting, starting each prayer with praise and thanksgiving can help cultivate a mindset of gratitude and joy.
May God bring you gratitude and joy this Thanksgiving!
For more stories about ICC or to learn more about their mission visit the ICC website.
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