I don’t know about you, but I get really excited about when summer turns into fall. It’s my favorite season of the year because I can always feel a shift in the atmosphere. Even if the weather itself doesn’t change right away. If only we could have fall forever, but that’s not how things work. Seasons change meteorologically and in life. Life has a way of bringing us through many seasons. Some are full of joy, sunshine, and laughter. Others, however, feel heavy, uncertain, or even heartbreaking. In those more difficult moments, gratitude can seem almost impossible. You may find yourself thinking like me, “How can I be grateful when everything feels like it’s falling apart?”
I know that feeling well. Gratitude isn’t always easy, but over time I discovered how powerfully it can shift our mindset, lift our spirits, and open our eyes to the quiet ways God shows up in our daily lives. Gratitude doesn’t erase our pain, but it reframes it, helping us to notice glimmers of light even in the darkest seasons.
If you’re in a place where thankfulness feels far away, here are some ways I find helpful to build an attitude of gratitude, not by ignoring your struggles, but by gently guiding your heart toward hope.
Start with the Smallest Things
When life feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to believe that gratitude can only come from something big: a promotion, a financial breakthrough, or a major answered prayer. But the truth is, gratitude often begins in the smallest details. I always tell my children, “God is in the details”. That means that He is aware, concerned about, in tune with, sees and hears even the smallest most insignificant things.
Think about the warmth of your morning tea or coffee, the sound of your child’s laughter, or even the simple fact that you woke up this morning with breath in your lungs. When you think deeply about it, these are not small things at all; they’re evidence of life and God’s grace.
When my days feel particularly heavy, I pause and whisper a quick “thank You Father” for something simple right in front of me. It could be seeing my children smile, finishing a small house chore or even a light cool breeze. It doesn’t change the whole situation, but it does change my perspective. And that’s often the first step to shifting the atmosphere of the day.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
One of my favorite things to do, when I get the chance, is journaling. Writing things down has a way of grounding us. It’s like transferring energy to paper, so even if you’re journaling about a rough day, this can lighten that load. A gratitude journal is one of the easiest practices you can start, and it doesn’t need to be fancy. Keep a small notebook by your bedside. Each night, before bed, write down three things you’re thankful for.
Over time, you’ll notice patterns and that’s quite okay. Maybe you’re consistently thankful for family meals, completing a household chore, a short nap, or encouraging words from a friend. My family and I gather each evening to watch a particular TV show. I didn’t notice it at first, it just kind of started being a regular thing. I soon realized what a gift it was to have everyone in the same room, enjoying that time together.
These patterns become reminders of the steady blessings you might otherwise overlook, like I initially did. And on days when gratitude feels far away, you can flip back through those pages to remind yourself that God has been faithful before, and He will continue to be faithful.
Turn Worry into Prayer
If there was an award for the most anxious person, I would probably have won several of them. I am not even sure where or when I first started being a worry wart, but it was and sometimes still is a challenge for me. Anxiety has a way of consuming our thoughts. But one of the most powerful shifts you can make is transforming worry into prayer. Philippians 4:6 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Notice it says, “with thanksgiving”. It’s not easy to give thanks while you’re still waiting for an answer, but it’s possible. When you feel fear and worry creeping in, pause and take a deep breath. Reflect and begin to thank God for the times He has provided in the past. Thank Him for the guidance He provides in His Word regarding worry. I like to quote scriptures like the one in Philippians and 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”, reminding Him of His Word. Then, tell God your current need with confidence, knowing that He cares. Gratitude softens the grasp of anxiety and replaces it with peace.
Involve Your Family
Make it a family affair. In our home, when our children were younger, we often took a few moments during family devotions and shared one thing we were thankful for from the day or week. Some days there were simple answers like “life” or “family”. Other days, their responses surprised me with depth. It’s something we still do when we get together, even though are children are older.
I believe these conversations teach children to notice blessings and also help parents see the world through their children’s eyes. Gratitude multiplies when we share it. And slowly, your home becomes a place where thankfulness is the norm, not the exception. These are good attributes that your children can carry with them into adulthood.
Practice Gratitude in Advance
This one takes faith. Sometimes we don’t see the answer in the moment, the healing, or the breakthrough. But even then, we can thank God in advance. We can worship in the waiting!
It may sound strange at first. How can we be grateful for something that hasn’t happened yet? The answer lies in trust. When we give thanks before we see the outcome, we declare our confidence that we know God is working behind the scenes. We shift our focus from fear of the unknown to faith in His promises. We put our faith over fear.
My Experience
I remember when I first loss my job of over two decades, due to downsizing. My son was about to go to college, something he was looking forward to and had prepared himself for his whole life. I won’t lie to you, it was scary and frustrating. I felt defeated because despite our best efforts over the years it seemed like things were falling apart.
We had been waiting on a door to open for our family. The waiting stretched way longer than I had hoped, and my conversations with God often ended in tears. One day, I decided I was going to step out on faith, still scared but pressing forward. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. This was supposed to be a well-organized, exciting time in my son’s life.
I determined that I would begin to thank God in advance for the provision I couldn’t yet see. I wish I could tell you that the moment I made that decision everything fell into place, but it didn’t. But every day I thanked God in advance for the answered prayers. When the pieces eventually fell into place, I realized that God had met every need. The gratitude I practiced in advance had culminated into a heart of overflowing joy and a deeper level of trust in a God who loved me that much!
Be Intentional
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain or problems. It’s about choosing to see the good or positive in the middle of difficulty. Some days that decision will feel natural. Other days, it will feel like hard work. Most days you will have to choose to be intentionally grateful. And, like any habit, the more you practice, the better you get at it.
Just a few minutes of thankfulness can set the tone of your day. When you wake up, be intentional about starting your day thanking God for the gift of life. Thank Him for another opportunity to work toward your goals or see your family. I tell my children all the time, “As long as there is life, there is hope”. Waking up brings with it new hope!
Be intentional about showing gratitude even when you achieve small daily tasks. As a homeschool mom, this one is especially relevant for me, because some days things just don’t go as planned and small tasks can pile up. Pause during the day to look out the window or step outside for a few minutes and thank God for something in nature that you see. Thank Him for meals, even simple ones. And when you wind down for the evening, think of one moment that stood out to you for the day and just say “Thank you Father”. Make those deposits of gratitude intentionally, every day, and soon they will accumulate into a lifestyle of gratefulness, an attitude of gratitude.
So, What’s in Your Cup Today?
Hard seasons can test us. They can stretch us. They can sometimes even break us. But within them are opportunities to see life and God’s presence in ways we might otherwise miss. Gratitude is not about denying our challenges or struggles; it’s about discovering light amidst the darker days.
So, if you find yourself in a season that feels heavy or uncertain, don’t pressure yourself to feel thankful for everything. Instead, start small. Notice the warmth of your tea. Write down three blessings before bed. Pray with thanksgiving even in your worry. Involve your family in the practice of gratefulness. And dare to thank God for the answers you cannot yet see by building a trusting relationship with Him.
Because even in life’s hardest seasons, gratitude has the power to transform not only your perspective, but your heart. What’s in your cup today? Hopefully an intentional amount of gratitude!