Weekly Magazine | Choosing Gratitude When Life is Hard
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Dear Friends,
Being thankful when life feels heavy isn’t always easy. When our hearts ache or the future feels uncertain, saying “thank You, Lord” can feel like a stretch. But that’s often exactly where God shows up—in the middle of the mess, quietly reminding us of His goodness in ways we might have missed. Gratitude becomes less about our feelings and more about who He is. It’s faith in action, a way of trusting that God is still working and still our good Father, even when we can’t see the full picture.
If you’ve ever struggled to feel truly grateful, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there! This week, we want to encourage your heart with stories about discovering gratitude even in the messy, stressful, and downright hard parts of life.
We’re also sharing a special downloadable poem by Jill Briscoe, a little gift to remind you of God’s presence and goodness throughout the year.
And as we pause to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving week, know that YOU are right at the top of our list.
Encouraging You in God’s Truth,
Cultivating Gratitude in Everyday Moments | T. Windahl
When T. Windahl’s son met a difficult customer at the bakery, he simply asked, “What are you thankful for today?” That small question sparked a surprising change—and a reminder that gratitude can grow in the most ordinary places.
When the Journey Becomes the Gift | Wendy Gorton Hill
When Wendy’s son spiraled into addiction, she found herself on a painful journey she never asked for. Yet through heartbreak, she learned that even unwanted gifts from our heavenly Father can become sacred opportunities for deeper dependence, prayer, and grace.
The Sweetness of Remembering God’s Goodness | Angela McCoun
When Angela received a “blessing jar,” she was reminded to look for God’s sweetness in every circumstance — even the ones that didn’t feel good. Her story reminds us that praise shifts our focus from the weight of what’s wrong to the wonder of what God is doing.
BONUS: A Gratitude Attitude (Poem) | Jill Briscoe
Jill’s words sing with the joy of a soul “gripped by the Godhead.” Her beautiful poem reminds us that gratitude isn’t just a feeling — it’s a posture of worship and a daily offering to our Savior.
Also:
The NIV Journal the Word® Bible allows you to creatively express yourself every day with room for notes or verse art next to your favorite verses. Each Bible features thick cream-colored paper with lightly ruled lines in the extra-wide margins, perfect to reflect on God’s Word and enhance your study.
Cultivating Gratitude in Everyday Moments
How Small Acts of Thanks Can Transform Us.
By: T. Windahl
Before God’s calling on our son, Zach’s, life was made clear, he managed a French bakery in a fun, lakeside town in Minnesota. That bakery soon became a favorite place for my husband and I to meet up with Zach or our friends.
One Saturday morning we were at the bakery with Zach enjoying our coffee, pastries, and conversation when an older gentleman stopped by our table. It seemed as if Zach knew him, and after saying hi to Zach he asked him the following question, “What are you thankful for today?” Zach answered him, and they talked a bit more. After the man left, Zach shared the backstory with us of what had prompted the man’s surprising question.
At the time, the bakery was new to the area. It had quickly become a popular spot, and people were willing to wait in line for a long time in order to buy their favorite French croissant or Macarone or Crepe Cake, etc.
While working one day, Zach was waiting on customers when he noticed the gentleman who had stopped by our table was waiting in line. Turns out he was a regular customer and a difficult one at that! During their interaction, Zach looked at him and asked him the following question because the gentleman was always so difficult and unfriendly, “What are you thankful for today?” When Zach shared this backstory with Pete and me it deeply touched my heart.
I would love to know what the man first thought when he was asked the question, Zach could tell he was contemplating it. Did it stop him in his tracks? Did he think about it time and again? Before then, had he ever thought about things in his life to be thankful for? Did he become a thankful person because of a surprising question from a much younger person than he was?
