The Power Of Gratitude

Have you ever heard of the term “muscle memory”? I first learned about it back in high school when I was playing baseball. One of my coaches gave me a challenge: to develop a curveball. He told me to spend the offseason flicking a baseball back and forth—while watching TV, doing homework, even lying in bed. At first, it felt odd, almost pointless. But over time, it became second nature. That’s muscle memory. You do something repeatedly until it becomes automatic.

But muscle memory isn’t just for sports. It applies to life and faith, too. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul encourages believers to develop spiritual muscle memory: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Gratitude, Paul insists, should become instinctive—so ingrained in our hearts that it overflows no matter what life throws at us. But how do we train ourselves to live with constant gratitude?

Let’s explore three key truths about gratitude:

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians aren’t a suggestion or an encouragement; they’re a command. “In everything give thanks.” At first glance, this might seem harsh. Why would God command us to give thanks? Is He sitting in heaven demanding appreciation? Not at all. God’s commands always have a purpose, and this one is for our benefit.

It Transforms Us

Research backs this up. A Harvard study found that people who cultivate gratitude experience greater happiness, stronger relationships, and better mental health. But long before modern science, Scripture taught this principle. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” The way we think shapes who we are. If we think with gratitude, we’ll be more joyful, peaceful, and positive.
 
It Brings God’s Blessing

When we obey God’s command to give thanks, we open the door to His presence in our lives. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Gratitude draws us closer to Him, allowing us to experience His peace and presence profoundly.

As Dr. David Jeremiah wrote, “God’s command to be grateful is the invitation of a lifetime. It’s an invitation to draw near to Him, to live in His blessing."

Paul doesn’t just say, “Be thankful when life is good.” He says, “In everything give thanks.”
That includes the hard times—the moments when we don’t feel like being grateful.
 
Thanking God in the Good Times
 
Let’s be honest: even when life is going well, we often forget to thank God for His blessings. It’s easy to take the small things for granted—like the roof over our heads, the food on our table, or the simple fact that we woke up this morning. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.”  Every blessing, big or small, comes from God. When we stop to recognize this, gratitude becomes a natural response.
 
Thanking God in the Hard Times

But what about when life gets hard? How can we give thanks when everything feels like it’s falling apart? James 1:2 challenges us to “count it all joy” when trials come our way. Why? Because God uses trials to strengthen us spiritually.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. When my family and I moved to Akron, we knew God had called us there, but the journey wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, moments when I felt like a failure. But through those struggles, God taught me the power of gratitude.

One day, in the middle of my discouragement, I locked myself in the church, got on my knees, and started thanking God—not just for the blessings, but for the challenges. And in that moment, God met me with a peace I can’t fully explain.

Gratitude in hard times doesn’t come naturally, but when we choose to thank God, He transforms our perspective.

Paul tells us that giving thanks is “the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
 
There are only a few places in the New Testament where Scripture explicitly states, “This is the will of God.” Gratitude is one of them.

When we live with a thankful heart, we position ourselves in the center of God’s will. And there’s no better place to be. It’s a place of purpose, protection, and peace.

Living on Gratitude Street

J. Edward Kalas once wrote, “Some years ago, I bought a house on Gratitude Street... and I never intend to live anywhere else.” Gratitude isn’t just an attitude; it’s a choice. It’s deciding to see God’s hand in every situation, to trust His plan, and to thank Him for His faithfulness.

So, where are you living today?

Are you stuck on Complaint Avenue, or are you ready to move to Gratitude Street?

Let’s take Paul’s command to heart. Let’s develop the spiritual muscle memory to give thanks in everything. And as we do, we’ll discover the peace and joy that only God can give.