Learning From The Psalms When You're Grateful

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Today we continue our reflection on how to read/pray the Psalms when we are experiencing intense emotions.  The Psalm that we'll be reflecting on today is Psalm 103, which you can read HERE.  

Today's Daily Devo focuses on gratitude, and what it means to live each day finding ways to express it, even when things aren't going as well as we hoped.  

I know that I have struggled with this over the years, and I'm learning that it requires intention to find things to be grateful for and to express that gratitude to God.   The more gratitude becomes an intention, the more it can become a habit, and when it becomes a habit, you find yourself experiencing gratitude on a daily basis. 

My fiancé and I have adopted the practice of praying simple prayers of thanks before every meal. At this point, you should resist the urge to say, "Awwww, isn't that sweet!"  I admit there's a sweetness to it, but that's not why I mention it. 

These simple prayers have become a way for us to express our thanks for the day's gifts and to pause to reflect on all the other things we are grateful for.  I have found that it reminds us that, no matter what challenges we face, leading with gratitude provides the peace needed to face them with hope.  

Fr. Richard Rohr had this to say about the intentionality of gratitude, and it resonates with me so much: 

“We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a nice thought—it is an invitation. The more we learn to notice God's gifts, the more we discover that gratitude is not merely a response to life; it becomes a way of seeing life.” 

Gratitude is a way of training the soul to recognize that life itself is a gift. When we approach each day with gratitude at the fore, we may find that our worries take a back seat.  

Psalm 103 begins with a conversation the psalmist has with himself: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1). Then comes the command: "Do not forget all his benefits." Before David lists God's blessings, he reminds himself not to forget them. That may be one of the greatest challenges we face.

We easily remember what went wrong. We replay disappointments, dwell on unanswered prayers, and revisit painful conversations. Meanwhile, countless gifts quietly pass unnoticed: a friend's encouragement, a sunrise, laughter around the dinner table, the strength to begin another day, the assurance that God's mercy is new every morning.

David rehearses God's goodness: forgiveness, healing, redemption, steadfast love, compassion. Gratitude grows not because life is perfect but because we intentionally remember the ways God has been faithful.

The Apostle Paul echoes this wisdom when he writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Notice he does not say to give thanks for every circumstance, but in every circumstance. Gratitude does not ignore suffering; it simply refuses to let suffering become the whole story.

One of the most transformative spiritual practices is ending each day by recalling three gifts for which you are thankful. Some days the list will come easily. On other days, you may struggle to find even one. Yet over time, your heart begins to notice what it once overlooked. You discover that God's grace has been quietly present all along.

Today, let your soul remember. Let gratitude become not just an occasional emotion but the lens through which you see the world. The more we remember God's goodness, the more naturally praise rises from within us.

Prayer

Gracious God, forgive me for the times I overlook your countless gifts. Open my eyes to your presence in both extraordinary and ordinary moments. Fill my heart with gratitude that is deeper than my circumstances and help me become someone whose life reflects continual thanksgiving. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are three unexpected blessings you have experienced this week?
  2. Why do you think gratitude requires intentional practice?
  3. How might remembering God's faithfulness change the way you face today's challenges?

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