Gratitude That Transforms: Thank God for How Far You've Come

Hey Mama, can we pause for just a moment today?

In the beautiful chaos of motherhood, between the school drop-offs, the endless to-do lists, the meals that need preparing, and the hearts that need tending—it's so easy to keep our eyes fixed only on what's ahead. 

But today, I want to invite you to do something countercultural, something that will shift your entire perspective: let's thank God for how far He's brought us this year. Not where you wish you were. Not where you think you should be by now. But where you actually are and all the beautiful, hard-won ground you've covered to get here.

Because here's the truth that will set your heart free: gratitude transforms perspective. When we choose to see God's faithfulness in our journey, even the smallest wins become testimonies of His goodness. Every step forward in your faith, every moment of personal growth, every time you chose obedience over comfort, these are reasons to rejoice.

Today, we're checking the practice of thanksgiving, exploring how gratitude doesn't just change how we see our past, it changes how we step into our future.

The Biblical Foundation: Forget Not All His Benefits

The psalmist David gives us a powerful command in Psalm 103:2: "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits."

Notice that David isn't just suggesting we remember God's goodness—he's telling his own soul not to forget. This is intentional remembering. Active gratitude. Purposeful thanksgiving.

Why does this matter so much? Because our human tendency is toward spiritual amnesia. We forget so quickly. The Israelites witnessed miracle after miracle—the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, water from rocks and yet they grumbled and complained at the first sign of difficulty.

We do the same thing, don't we, Mama?

God delivers us from one situation, and two weeks later we're anxious about the next challenge, forgetting that the same God who brought us through then will bring us through now. We experience breakthrough in our prayer life, and then life gets busy and we drift, forgetting the sweetness of that intimate time with Him.

David understood this human tendency, which is why he had to preach to himself: "Forget not." Don't let the busyness, the challenges, or the disappointments erase the memory of God's faithfulness.

What Are His Benefits?

When David commands us not to forget God's benefits, what exactly is he talking about? The verses that follow Psalm 103:2 paint a beautiful picture:

• He forgives all your sins

• He heals all your diseases

• He redeems your life from the pit

• He crowns you with love and compassion

• He satisfies your desires with good things

• He renews your youth like the eagle's

These aren't just pretty words for a church bulletin. These are the active, ongoing benefits of being a child of God. Every single day, Mama, you're walking in these realities. His mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness never fails.

Why Gratitude Matters for the Weary Mama

Let's get real for a moment. Motherhood can be exhausting. Some days, you're running on coffee, prayer, and sheer determination. You're pouring out constantly—into your children, your home, your marriage, your work, your ministry—and sometimes the tank feels completely empty.

In those seasons, gratitude might feel like just one more thing on your overwhelmed plate. One more thing you're "supposed" to do as a good Christian. One more area where you're falling short.

But here's what I need you to hear: Gratitude isn't another burden—it's the relief you've been searching for.

Gratitude Shifts Your Focus

When we practice thanksgiving, we're not denying our challenges or pretending life is perfect. We're choosing to focus on what God has done while we trust Him with what He's still doing.

That difficult child you're praying over? Thank God for the gift of that child in your life. The financial strain you're navigating? Thank God for His provision that has sustained you this far. The relationship that needs healing? Thank God for His redemptive power at work even when you can't see it yet.

Gratitude shifts your gaze from the size of your problems to the size of your God.

Gratitude Breaks the Cycle of Comparison

Oh, Mama, comparison is the thief of joy, isn't it? We scroll through social media and see other women who seem to have it all together—the beautifully curated homes, the well-behaved children, the thriving marriages, the successful ministries.

But when you're rooted in gratitude for your journey, comparison loses its power. You stop measuring your Chapter 3 against someone else's Chapter 20. You stop wishing for someone else's blessings and start celebrating the unique ways God is moving in your story.

Gratitude Multiplies Blessings

Here's something beautiful that happens when we speak thankfulness: God multiplies His blessings. This isn't prosperity gospel—it's kingdom principle. When we're faithful stewards of what we have, when we recognize and appreciate God's goodness, when we operate from a posture of abundance rather than scarcity, God has room to do more.

It's like the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus took what was offered in gratitude, blessed it, and it multiplied beyond imagination. Your grateful heart is fertile ground for God's next miracle.

Taking Inventory: How Far Have You Really Come?

Now let's get practical. I want you to actually do this exercise with me. Don't just read past this section—pause and really engage with it.

Think back to where you were at the beginning of this year. Better yet, think back to where you were five years ago, or ten years ago. Now consider:

In Your Faith Journey

• How has your prayer life deepened?

• What biblical truths have become real to you, not just head knowledge?

• Where have you seen God answer prayers?

• What spiritual strongholds have been broken in your life?

• How has your trust in God grown through trials?

In Your Personal Growth

• What character areas has God been refining in you?

• Where have you grown in patience, wisdom, or self-control?

• What fears have you faced with God's help?

• What healthy boundaries have you established?

• How have you learned to care for yourself while caring for others?

In Your Relationships

• How has God restored or strengthened your marriage?

• Where have you seen breakthrough in parenting?

• What difficult relationships have seen healing?

• How has your ability to love others grown?

• Where have you learned to forgive and extend grace?

In Your Purpose

• What dreams has God begun to awaken in you?

• Where have you stepped out in obedience despite fear?

• What gifts has He developed in you?

• How has your understanding of your calling clarified?

• What doors has He opened that you never imagined?

Mama, when you really take inventory, you'll be amazed at how far you've come. The journey might not look like what you expected, but God's fingerprints are all over it.

The Practice of Daily Gratitude

Thanksgiving isn't meant to be a once-a-year holiday or even a weekly Sunday morning moment. Biblical gratitude is a lifestyle, a daily discipline that transforms how we walk through this world.

Start Your Day with Thanksgiving

Before your feet hit the floor, before you check your phone, before you start mentally running through your to-do list, thank God. Thank Him for the gift of a new day. Thank Him for His mercies that are new this morning. Thank Him for the breath in your lungs and the purpose He has for you today.

This sets the tone for everything that follows. You're not stumbling into your day running on empty—you're stepping into it from a place of fullness and gratitude.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

There's something powerful about writing down what you're grateful for. It makes it concrete. It gives you a record to look back on during hard seasons. When doubt creeps in or discouragement weighs heavy, you can flip back through the pages and see testimony after testimony of God's faithfulness.

You don't need anything fancy—a simple notebook works perfectly. Each day, write down three to five things you're grateful for. Be specific. Don't just write "my family"—write "the way my daughter's eyes lit up when she learned to ride her bike today" or "my husband taking over bedtime routine so I could have a quiet moment."

Speak It Out Loud

There's power in the spoken word. When you verbalize your gratitude, you're not just thinking it—you're declaring it. You're prophesying God's goodness over your life and circumstances.

Throughout your day, speak it out: "Thank You, God, for this provision." "I'm grateful for this moment of peace." "Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness in this situation."

When your children hear you speaking gratitude, you're modeling for them a lifestyle of thanksgiving. You're teaching them to recognize God's hand in everyday moments.

Turn Complaints into Gratitude

This is a game-changer, Mama. The next time you catch yourself complaining—about traffic, about a difficult day, about a challenging situation—pause and flip it. Find something in that very circumstance to be grateful for.

Stuck in traffic? Thank God for a reliable vehicle and the gift of time to pray or listen to worship music. Difficult day? Thank God that He's with you in it and that this day will end. Challenging situation? Thank God for the opportunity to grow in faith and dependence on Him.

This doesn't mean you're in denial about difficulties. It means you're choosing to see God's presence and purpose even in hard things.

Your Declaration of Gratitude

Words have power. What we speak shapes our reality and aligns our hearts with truth. So today, let's declare gratitude together.

Speak this out loud with me, Mama:

"I am thankful for God's work in my life. His blessings and guidance surround me daily."

Say it again. Let it sink deep into your spirit.

God is working in your life right now. Even when you can't see it, even when it doesn't feel like it, even when the progress seems slow—He is actively, intentionally, lovingly at work in you and through you and for you.

His blessings surround you. Not just the obvious ones—the roof over your head, the food on your table, the people you love. But also the hidden blessings: the trial that's building your character, the waiting season that's deepening your trust, the closed door that's protecting you from something that wasn't meant for you.

His guidance is with you daily. Every single day, Mama, you have access to divine wisdom. You're not navigating motherhood, marriage, ministry, or anything else in your own strength or understanding. The God of the universe is guiding your steps, ordering your path, and working all things together for your good.

Strengthen Your Prayer Life with Intentional Tools

Speaking of God's guidance and staying connected to Him daily—let's talk about your prayer life for a moment.

We all know prayer is essential. We know we should pray more, pray better, pray consistently. But in the reality of daily life, maintaining a vibrant prayer life can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you stay focused? What do you do when prayer feels dry or one-dimensional?

This is why intentional tools matter. Not as a substitute for genuine relationship with God, but as support structures that help us show up consistently and pray more effectively.

Think of it like this: You could exercise without any equipment, but a good pair of running shoes makes the journey easier and helps you go further. You could cook without a recipe, but a good cookbook helps you create something more nourishing and delicious. Similarly, prayer tools don't replace your relationship with God—they enhance it and help you engage more fully.

The Glory Prayer Box: Your Daily Prayer Companion

The Glory Prayer Box from Premier Glory Wear is designed specifically for mamas like you who want to deepen their prayer life but need practical support to do it.

Here's what makes it special:

Structured but Flexible: The prayer box provides structure for your prayer time without being rigid or formulaic. It guides you through different aspects of prayer—thanksgiving, confession, intercession, petition—while leaving room for the Holy Spirit to lead.

Convenient and Portable: Whether you're praying in the early morning quiet, during your lunch break, or in those precious moments after the kids are in bed, the Glory Prayer Box goes with you. Keep it on your nightstand, in your purse, or on your kitchen counter—wherever you're most likely to use it consistently.

Intentional and Purposeful: Each element of the prayer box is designed to help you pray with greater intention. Instead of vague, wandering prayers, you're led to pray specifically, biblically, and powerfully.

Community Connection: When you use the Glory Prayer Box, you're joining a community of other mamas who are also prioritizing their prayer lives. You're part of a sisterhood of women who are seeking God, growing in faith, and supporting each other in the journey.

Right now, when you order the Glory Prayer Box, you'll receive a FREE faith tee as our gift to 

Moving Forward in Gratitude

As we wrap up our time together today, I want to leave you with some practical next steps. Don't just let this be information that passes through your mind—let it be transformation that impacts your life.

Today’s Challenge

1. Set aside 10 minutes today to journal about how far you've come. Write down specific ways God has moved in your life this year.

2. Choose one area of complaint in your life and intentionally turn it into gratitude every time it comes up this week.

3. Speak the declaration we discussed earlier at least once a day: "I am thankful for God's work in my life. His blessings and guidance surround me daily."
   
   

4. Share your gratitude with someone else. Text a friend about something you're grateful for, or share a testimony with your family over dinner.

5. Invest in your prayer life by ordering your Glory Prayer Box today and committing to use it consistently.

Remember This Truth

Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect. It's about recognizing God's presence and faithfulness in the middle of real life—the messy, beautiful, challenging, joy-filled journey of following Him.

You're not where you used to be, Mama. God has brought you so far. He's been faithful every step of the way, and He's not stopping now. What He started in you, He will complete.

Every small win in your personal growth, it matters. Every step forward in faith—it counts. Every moment you chose to trust Him instead of worry, it's building something beautiful in you.

Don't minimize your progress. Don't discount your growth. Don't forget how far you've come.

Closing Prayer

Let's pray together:

Father God, thank You. Thank You for bringing us this far. Thank You for every lesson learned, every trial endured, every victory celebrated, and every moment of Your faithfulness along the way.

Forgive us for the times we've forgotten Your benefits, for the moments we've taken Your goodness for granted, for the days we've complained instead of giving thanks.

Open our eyes to see all the ways You're working in our lives—the obvious blessings and the hidden ones, the answered prayers and the ways You've protected us through Your 'no' answers.

Cultivate in us hearts of gratitude. Help us to practice thanksgiving not just as an occasional event but as a daily lifestyle. Teach us to speak gratitude, to think gratitude, to live gratitude.

And Lord, deepen our prayer lives. Draw us closer to You. Help us to prioritize time with You even in the busiest seasons. Give us hunger for Your presence and discipline to show up consistently in prayer.

We trust You with what's ahead, confident that the same God who brought us this far will continue to lead us forward.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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