Gratitude: More Than Manners, It’s Worship

Scripture:“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

Truth to Hold On To

Gratitude is not just polite manners or good behavior, it's worship. When we thank God, we acknowledge His hand at work in our lives. Gratitude shifts our focus away from what we lack and onto the One who provides everything we need.

David declared:“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1 (NKJV).

And Psalm 100:4 reminds us:“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”(NKJV).

Thanksgiving isn’t tied to circumstances. It flows from the heart of a believer who knows God’s character never changes. Gratitude is one of the purest forms of worship because it declares, “Lord, I trust You, even here.”

Where This Gets Real

When I stepped deeper into ministry, there were times I felt completely stretched. Resources were limited, and the weight of responsibility felt heavy. On top of that, hearing the stories of the women I served; stories of trauma, exploitation, and deep pain often broke my heart. I would carry their burdens into the night, wondering, “Lord, how can I keep going when the need is so great and I feel so small?”

But in those moments, God reminded me of what He had already done not just in the ministry, but in me. I couldn’t forget my own redemption story. I remembered how He pulled me out of fear, how He healed places I thought would always be broken, how He gave me hope when I thought there was none.

The same God who rewrote my life was the same God working in theirs. Gratitude didn’t erase the heaviness of ministry, but it shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing only the impossibility of the need, I saw the unshakable faithfulness of my Redeemer.

When I thanked Him not just for what I was asking Him to do but for what He had already done in my life, my heart lifted. Gratitude reminded me: if He could redeem me, He could redeem them. If He could sustain me, He could sustain them.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that gratitude is not dependent on my circumstances but on Your goodness. Thank You for redeeming my life, for healing broken places, and for writing a new story over me. Teach me to live with a thankful heart in every season, offering my gratitude as worship. Help me to see Your blessings, big and small, and to remember that Your mercy endures forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Reflection Question

How has God’s redemption in my own life become a foundation for gratitude? What would it look like for me to worship Him not only for what I hope He will do, but also for what He has already done?

Challenge

This week, write out your redemption story in one paragraph, focusing on what Jesus has already done for you. Read it back to Him as an act of thanksgiving and worship, and let it fuel your faith as you serve others.