Nourish Gratitude—A heart posture before God

This week’s reflection is a throwback to a blog post I wrote with my mom last year—only now with fresh perspective from what God has been teaching me lately. Over the past few days, He has been reminding me to slow down, be present, and truly enjoy the blessings right in front of me.

Last week was all about patience. This week is all about nourishing what I already have—especially the people God has intentionally placed in my life.

So often, we focus on the ones we wish would draw closer—the ones we hope would reach out, notice us, call us, or see us. And in that longing, we unintentionally overlook the beautiful relationships already surrounding us. We forget to cherish the gift of presence—others’ presence in our lives, and most importantly, God’s presence with us.

And even if there are moments when it feels like we “have no one,” the truth is… we have Him. Our Heavenly Father is near, attentive, present, and more than enough.

He will satisfy us. He is all we truly need.

As Psalm 73:25–26 reminds us, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

It brings to mind that Upper Room song—“Give me Jesus… I don’t need anyone else but Him.”Because the truth is: He really is everything to us.

A Heart Posture before God and How to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude:

In a world overflowing with superficiality and materialism, it’s easy to slip into a mindset that constantly demands more—more from our circumstances, more from our relationships, and more from life. The fast pace of everyday responsibilities often makes us overlook God’s goodness, forgetting that our achievements are not solely the result of our own efforts. Gratitude is what refocuses our vision, grounding us in a life of fullness and purpose.

When gratitude is absent, everything begins to feel heavy. Tasks that once felt meaningful become burdensome, and emotions like frustration, anger, and resentment start shaping our interactions. These emotions often express themselves through criticism, judgment, and unforgiveness. This is why shifting from expectation to appreciation is essential—it softens the heart and brings us into alignment with a more fulfilling way of living.

Psalm 100:1–4 invites us:“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

From this beautiful Psalm, we discover four essential steps to cultivating a grateful heart:

1. Serve with Joy (v.2)

Serving with gladness is an act of humility and generosity. When we serve others with a joyful heart, we reflect the compassion of Christ. Give willingly, share freely, and embrace the blessing of being used by God.

Remember: when God entrusts you with a task, serve Him with thanksgiving. Every opportunity to bless someone else is an opportunity to worship Him.

2. Seek God’s Presence with Rejoicing (v.2)

Seeking God should never be about what He can give us but about the joy of simply being near Him. By His mercy, we are saved, chosen, loved, and called His daughters. When our hearts rejoice in His presence, gratitude naturally grows. Intentionally seeking Him draws us into deeper relationship and anchors us in His goodness.

3. Acknowledge Who God Is (v.3)

True gratitude begins with recognizing God’s identity and authority. He created us, cares for us, and designed us with purpose. When we acknowledge His sovereignty, we willingly submit to His perfect will. Gratitude flows effortlessly when we remember who He is and all He has done.

4. Give Thanks in Everything (v.4)

Gratitude isn’t occasional—it’s a daily, ongoing expression of faith. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Start small: thank Him for your breath, your home, your family, the quiet moments, the victories, and even the challenges that refine you. As you learn to replace complaints with gratitude, your heart, your relationships, and your perspective will shift.

Conclusion:

Gratitude is more than an attitude—it is a posture of faith that reshapes our hearts and aligns us with God’s purpose. When we intentionally cultivate gratitude, we draw closer to Him and experience His faithfulness in every moment. It deepens trust, brings joy, and strengthens our relationships. Gratitude is not merely a response to what God has done—it is a declaration of who He is. May your heart overflow with gratitude as you walk confidently in His goodness.

With Love,

Aurey & Arleen