The Practice of Gratitude 

By Michelle Obateru, Florida Churches 

When I was a young girl growing up in New York, I longed for a bike from a Times Square store. Every time we visited, I would beg my parents to let me see the bikes in the sports section. Even though I knew the bike I dreamed of was quite expensive, I couldn’t help but hope and dream of owning it one day. My parents were aware for a long time of how much I wanted that bike, and they planned to surprise me with it one Christmas. They wrapped numerous gifts for me to open that Christmas morning, each one carefully chosen to bring me closer to the ultimate surprise. As I unwrapped them – a pair of boots, a hat, a new coat - I didn’t realize that each gift was part of a deliberate plan to guide me to the final present. My parents instructed me to put on my new winter boots, hat, and coat, and then to open the shed in the backyard. Following their instructions, I discovered a blue ten-speed bike inside the shed—exactly the bike I had wished for since I was ten years old. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I felt as though my life was complete, believing that nothing else could ever compare to the joy I felt at that moment.

A Daily Intentional Practice 

As I have grown older, I’ve learned that gratitude should be a daily, intentional practice. It’s not about the material value of something like that bike but rather about the love and thoughtful planning that went into fulfilling my heart’s desire. On challenging days, negative thoughts can sometimes make it seem like there is nothing to be grateful for. My imagination, influenced by social media, news, or discouraging messages, can lead me into a spiral of ingratitude and despair. In those moments, I can become my own worst enemy, overwhelmed by negativity and hopelessness. However, since God created me, I can turn to Him to help realign my perspective when my thoughts become overwhelming.

One scripture that has guided me in focusing on gratitude is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds me that no matter the situation—whether good, bad, or somewhere in between—I can give thanks in it, though not necessarily for it. While it was easy to be thankful when I received the bike, finding gratitude in challenging circumstances, like moving away from beloved friends, was harder. Honestly, gratitude isn’t my first response when things don’t go as planned. Initially, I might feel sarcasm, doubt, or tears. Over time, I’ve come to recognize this as a signal to pause, reflect, and list the blessings I have in that season. I often find that as I write down my blessings, I end up filling several pages, revealing that even in tough times, things like salvation, another day to live, and my relationship with God are what truly matter. Over the past five decades (hard to believe, right?), God has consistently shown up in my life, reassuring me and filling my heart with joy.

Practicing Gratitude In Prayer

Prayer is also a crucial aspect of practicing gratitude, though it’s often easier when circumstances are favorable. Another scripture that helps me is Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” There have been days when, during my prayer walks, I’ve been reluctant to talk to God because my heart wasn’t full of gratitude due to difficult situations. Sometimes, it takes me 10 to 15 minutes to start praying, but once I do, I can be honest with God, and my heart gradually softens. God understands that my heart can grow weary, but continual prayer helps adjust my heart’s posture to one of gratitude. Although my devotion to prayer has waned over the years, I am realizing that an alert mind and a thankful heart lead me toward accomplishing God’s will for my life.