The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude

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I believe one of the most important things we can do is be thankful for our lives and all that God gives us and does for us. Too often, we focus on what we don’t have or what we wish was different in our lives, and this focus causes us to go through life feeling dissatisfied and defeated. But when we stop and take the time to focus on what we already have and all the ways God has already blessed us, it gives us a new perspective—our mind is renewed, our attitude is affected, and our joy overflows.

That is why I’m excited about
The Power of Being Thankful
. This devotional is one year’s worth of thankful thoughts compiled from some of my most popular books that will help you develop and maintain a heart of thanksgiving. Regardless of where you are in your journey with the Lord, I believe
The Power of Being Thankful
is going to help you begin enjoying your life with Him in a whole new way.

I pray that you will set aside the next year to pursue God with a thankful heart. Don’t go through your life frustrated, miserable, and unhappy; God has something much better in store for you.
Live each day with a thankful heart, grateful for every good thing—no matter how big or how small—that God has done in your life. As you begin to remember the good things God has done in your past and realize the blessings you have in the present, you can’t help getting excited about what He is going to do in your future.

Be thankful and be ready… God has something amazing in store for your life!

Joyce Meyer

No matter what we pray for, thanksgiving can always go with it. A good habit to develop is starting all of our prayers with thanksgiving. An example of this would be: “Thank You, Father, for all You have done in my life; You are awesome and I really love and appreciate You.”

I encourage you to examine your life, to pay attention to your thoughts and your words, and to see how much thanksgiving you express. Do you murmur and complain about things or are you thankful?

If you want a challenge, just try to get through an entire day without uttering one word of complaint. Develop an attitude of thanksgiving in every situation. In fact, just become outrageously thankful—and watch as your intimacy with God increases and as He pours out greater blessings than ever before.

Thank You, Father, for the way You guide me in prayer. Help me to come to You in thanksgiving before I do anything else. Let gratitude be the foundation of my prayer life. I make the decision today to put aside complaining, being thankful in prayer instead.

Peace is one of the most important elements to enjoying your life.

A life of frustration and struggle, a life without peace, is the result of focusing on things you can’t do anything about. When you worry about things beyond your control, stress and anxiety begin to creep into your life.

The apostle Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV).

Once we realize we are struggling with something and feel upset, we need to start praying and immediately turn the situation over to God, thankful He will provide according to His will and offer us peace. You and I are not called to a life of frustration and struggle. Jesus came so we could have righteousness, joy, and peace!

Father, I am grateful for peace. It is a wonderful gift that You have given me, and I ask for Your help to always be peaceful in every situation.

As believers in Christ, we can be bubbling over with life. We can be vibrant, alive, active, energized, peaceful, and joy-filled.

It is our approach to God that determines our attitude and countenance. When we approach God with boldness, thankful for His grace and confident that He loves us and He is for us, we can’t help but be full of life. However, a legalistic, religious approach to God steals life. It does not nourish it. Remember, Paul said, “The Law kills, but the Spirit makes alive” (2 Corinthians 3:6). When we follow the Spirit, we feel alive.

Each of us should ask ourselves the question,
Would people want what I have by watching my life and looking at my countenance? Is my life reflecting a thankful, expectant heart, excited about what God is going to do each new day?

We are to be the light of the world. Make sure your light is shining brightly today.

Father, I am thankful that I don’t have to approach You through the law, but I can come boldly to Your throne because of Your amazing grace. Thank You that Your grace and joy brighten my life and allow me to be a light for the world to see.