When going through a difficult season of life, answering the question “what are you grateful for?” can seem impossible. Around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, the world often wants us to reflect on what we are thankful for. The more we talk about it, the less meaningful the concept of being grateful becomes. We so often forget all that encompasses being thankful, especially when it comes to our expectations of the Lord.
Being grateful doesn’t have to only mean that you have some level of gratitude for the things and circumstances right in front of you. Having gratitude for those things is important and is a part of having a heart of gratitude, but it misses something deeper that can bring our hearts closer to God. We can be grateful and expectant for what is to come!
Gratefulness with Expectancy
Just because the circumstances in front of us are challenging, doesn’t mean that the Lord can’t change them, and we can be thankful and expectant for the plans He has for our future, because they are good! Jeremiah 26:11 says, ““For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
The Lord promises to us in His word that His plans for us are good. That is truly something we can be grateful for! Take it from Psalm 100:4-5 that says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” These verses are so important, because they remind us of God’s goodness in both the present and in the future. It tells us that He is good now and will be good forever. We can lean on these promises during the days and seasons of life where being thankful can be difficult.
Softening our Hearts to His Promises
God want’s the posture of our hearts to be one of gratefulness, because it means more than just being thankful for circumstances right now. We can trust and believe that when we soften our hearts and allow ourselves to be grateful with expectancy for what is to come, that the Lord will bless us like He promises in His word.
We can all have hearts of gratitude because God will meet us we are because He is good now and forever. No matter what kind of a season you are walking through, remind your heart of God’s promises for your life of blessing and prosperity and allow yourself to be grateful for those beautiful truths!
Mercy Multiplied exists to provide opportunities for all to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power. We offer multiple programs and resources online and onsite designed to equip people to live free and stay free in Christ. For more information about the services we offer, click here.
Want more resources? Check out our MercyTalk podcast episode, “God is Good and Does Good” with Founder & President Nancy Alcorn. For daily inspiration, follow us @MercyMultiplied on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter