Psalm 9:1
“I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.”
When Autumn arrives, we may still be feeling the weight of Summer’s heat and humidity until one day, a long-awaited cold front blows in to make it official—Fall is here! God’s handiwork is on full display as grass comes back to life after a drought, trees show off their brilliant colors, the air is fresher, and the weight begins to lift, inviting a new season of possibilities and new reasons to be grateful.
We often think of Spring and the Easter season as a time of repentance and new beginnings, but Autumn can offer the same when we welcome the season, seeking a fresh start that only Jesus can provide. Expressing gratitude, especially during the month of Thanksgiving, can profoundly change our outlook and even rewire our thinking.
It begins when we come to the Lord to empty ourselves of any of the sinful attitudes we have been carrying around. Are we weighed down by being bitter, unforgiving, angry, jealous, discontent, downtrodden, or even hopeless? Ask the Lord to remove them to make room for something new—thankfulness.
Second, try practicing thankfulness, making it a regular part of your life, in thought, speech, written word, and actions. Having a heart of thankfulness is a means by which God will give you a totally different outlook on life and insight into what He is doing in and through it. Thank Him for giving you your first breath in the morning, and at night when you close your eyes, and every opportunity in between, thank Him. Look up Bible verses that refer to gratitude and thankfulness and choose one for each day, perhaps to memorize and share with the family. Look back at how God has answered prayers, recall the small and big ways He has shown His love, care, goodness, faithfulness, and provision, and thank Him. What did He do yesterday? What did He do just this morning? Perhaps write them in a journal or on slips of paper for your own “Gratitude Jar” suggested in an earlier devotion this week.
God is worthy of our gratitude and thankfulness. Embrace the possibilities that come with a fresh start!
Dear Lord, You who is worthy of all praise, the One who has given us life and all the blessings of being in relationship with You, open our eyes to see all the reasons we have for being grateful. Help us to shed any attitudes that separate us from You and create in us clean hearts, wholly dedicated to loving, serving, thanking, and glorifying You. In Your Son’s name. Amen.
I am honored that you have read my devotion today, and pray it is an encouragement to you and glorifies God. Feel free to share! To receive Devotions For All Reasons in your email every day, go to the homepage and simply click on “Subscribe.”
