The Power of Gratitude

Article written by Michele A. Towers

My mother was truly an exceptional person. One of her most remarkable qualities was her consistently positive and cheerful outlook. Regardless of the circumstances, she had an incredible talent for turning setbacks into opportunities for joy. Watching her over the years, I often wondered what allowed her to always see the glass as half full. Finally, I discovered her secret: it was the transformative power of gratitude.

Gratitude and thankfulness are deeply rooted in the Christian faith and are fundamental practices for followers of Jesus. Yet, even with so much to be thankful for, life's challenges often shift our focus toward problems and negative situations, making it difficult to maintain an attitude of gratitude.

Developing a habit of thankfulness requires effort and intentionality, but it is a worthwhile pursuit. Such a mindset is a powerful weapon against the enemy's attacks on our faith and joy.

There is a strong connection between thankfulness and faith. Think about times when you've felt stuck in a "funk," dwelling on what’s wrong or lacking in your life. During those moments, you probably felt more distant from God, as if things would never improve.

Now reflect on a time when you were overwhelmed with gratitude for God's goodness. Likely, during that period, you felt a close connection to your Heavenly Father and His love for you, which strengthened your faith.

Unthankfulness usually manifests as complaining, and repeated complaining erodes faith. This was one of the pitfalls of the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. God had shown His power through the plagues and parted the Red Sea—magnificent deeds. Yet, when life became easier, they began grumbling about hunger, thirst, and feeling abandoned by God. Their complaints signaled a lack of trust, which Scripture considers a sin:

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”— Hebrews 3:12, NKJV

The Greek word for “evil” here means “full of labors, annoyances, hardships,” illustrating how ungratefulness can lead us away from faith and God's miracles.

Jesus Himself exemplified the importance of giving thanks, even amid difficulties:

• At the Last Supper, knowing He was about to be crucified, Jesus gave thanks (Luke 22:19).

• When faced with feeding thousands with just seven loaves and a few fish, He gave thanks beforehand (Matthew 15:36).

• When mourning His friend Lazarus, Jesus still expressed gratitude to God (John 11:41).

My mother’s favorite seasons were Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eager to celebrate early, she came up with a unique tradition called the “gratitude tree.” Each November, she would set up her Christmas tree— not decorated with ornaments, but adorned with beautiful fall leaves and pumpkins. The most meaningful decorations were photographs: images of family, friends, and joyful moments she treasured.

Initially, I was hesitant to join her, but her gentle persistence convinced me to create my own gratitude tree. Over time, it became a tangible reminder and a heartfelt way to thank God for all He has done in my life.

Make it a practice to cultivate a grateful heart. Each day, take a moment to thank God for something, even in tough times. You might even want to consider creating your own gratitude tree as a visual reminder of God’s love, goodness, and the wonderful plans He has to bless your life.