“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Each new day is a blessing, like a gift wrapped in the mercy of God. When the morning light filters in and our eyes open to another sunrise, we are witnessing the faithfulness of a God who has promised that His mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). But how we choose to greet the day matters. Do we step into it hurried, distracted, already burdened by yesterday’s worries? Or do we pause, breathe deep, and declare with the psalmist: “This is the Lord’s doing, and I will rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:23).
The Power Of Gratitude In The Morning
Gratitude is more than polite manners and saying thank you; it is a spiritual practice that changes us from the inside out. When we choose to begin our mornings with thanksgiving, we align our hearts with God’s truth before the world has the chance to pull us in a hundred different directions.
Thankfulness reorients our perspective. So instead of assessing our day by what we achieve, we should measure it by the One who sustains us. And rather than focusing on what we lack, we must remember what we’ve already been given: forgiveness, mercy, hope, and eternal life in Christ.
The Puritan writer Thomas Watson put it beautifully: “Contentment must be cultivated; it grows in a heart full of grace.” Contentment doesn’t sprout from possessions or accomplishments—it takes root in the soil of grace and gratitude.
Beginning Your Day With Jesus
Imagine this simple rhythm:
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Open God’s Word. Even just a Bible verse can set the tone for your heart.
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Say a prayer of gratitude. Whisper thanks for breath, life, and God’s love.
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Take things slowly. Let even a few minutes of your morning become a moment of worship, a reminder that He is your true source of strength.
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” This includes our mornings, when gratitude can turn routine into rejoicing.
Gratitude in Every Season
September mornings feel different from June mornings. A fall sunrise is not the same as a spring dawn. But in every season—whether the air is crisp with new beginnings or heavy with burdens—we are invited to rejoice in the Lord’s presence. Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship, but it gives us a sense of hope.
Paul wrote from prison: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4). If he could rejoice behind bars, then surely we can rejoice over the blessings God places before us each day. Remember, no blessing is too small to be thankful for.
Closing Encouragement
Friend, as you step into a new day, remember this: you don’t need to wait for perfect circumstances to rejoice. Gratitude is not about what’s in your hands—it’s about Who holds your heart. Let every morning become a chance to declare, “I am grateful for Jesus.”
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for this day You have made. Thank You for the breath in my body, for the roof over my head, for the mercies that I don’t even see. Teach me to live in gratitude—not just for what You give, but for who You are. Let my days be marked by praise, and may that praise spill into everything I do today. In Your most holy name we pray. Amen.*
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