The Power of Gratitude: Finding Joy in Every Season of Life
Good afternoon! I hope you’ve all had a good lunch—and if you didn’t, then I hope you’re sitting next to someone who did, because the joy of sharing is a biblical principle!
Now, I promise to keep this short and sweet — for some of us, this is the part of the day when eyelids get heavy and we need to find a comfy chair.
I know I’m standing between you and the rest of your afternoon, so I’ll make these minutes count.
I want us to consider The Power of Gratitude, and how we can find Joy in Every Season of Life
So, What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is simply thankfulness, but it’s not just remembering to say “thank you” when someone passes the salt.
Gratitude is deeper. It’s a heart posture, a perspective, and a daily decision to focus on the blessings rather than the botherings.
The Apostle Paul wrote lots of letters with wise advice - many years ago in a letter to people living in Thessalonica he wrote: "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
Now, that’s not always easy. Be thankful in all circumstances? Even when the kettle breaks, the TV won’t switch on, and the cat ignores you? Yes—even then.
Because God is still God, and He’s still good. And let’s be honest—sometimes we forget how blessed we are.
I once heard someone say, “I woke up grumpy this morning... but eventually she got up and made me a cup of Coffee.”
That’s a reminder right there to be thankful for the people around us—even if they snore, steal the duvet, or comment on our driving.
Some people think that getting older means fewer things to be grateful for. But I disagree!
As we age, we gain something very precious—perspective.
I remember the days when my nan had a "wireless" with lots of knobs and wires,
I remember when a "mouse" was something you did not want to find in your house,
I remember when "streaming" only happened when it rained heavily!
Some of us are old enough to have lived through wars, changes, revivals, and revolutions—and through it all, God has been faithful.
King David wrote in Psalm 37:25 (NLT): “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
That’s a testimony many of us share.
We have seen tough times, but we have also seen the provision and goodness of God.
And let’s not forget the small things like making it through a night without getting up too many times, or remembering why you went upstairs in the first place!
Even in the aches and slower steps, there’s much to be thankful for. You woke up this morning. You’re here, clothed, fed, and surrounded by others who’ve also forgotten what day it is. That’s something worth celebrating!
There are real benefits to having a Grateful Heart - Gratitude isn’t just polite—it’s powerful.
Medical experts say being thankful can:
• Lower blood pressure,
• Reduce stress,
• Improve sleep,
• And give you a better outlook on life.
Of course, so does a good coffee and a slice of cake, but gratitude lasts longer and doesn’t add inches to the waistline.
More importantly, thankfulness draws us closer to God.
In Psalm 100:4 the Bible encourages us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Gratitude unlocks joy. It shifts our focus from what’s wrong to who’s right—God.
Even on days when things feel difficult—when the news is grim, or the knees are creaky—we can still say, “Thank You, God. You haven’t changed.”
You may not realise this, but your attitude affects everyone around you. If you live with a grumble, people will avoid you. But if you live with gratitude, you shine.
Your children and grandchildren might not remember every story you tell them (especially if you’ve told it more than three times!), but they will remember if you had a thankful spirit.
Here is another gem of wisdom from the Apostle Paul, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace…” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Worry is a thief. But gratitude is a gift—one that keeps giving peace, joy, and contentment.
Live a grateful life.
Let your home be one where people feel welcome and encouraged.
Let your prayers be filled with thank-yous more than wish lists.
In closing:
Whether your hair is silver, white, or invisible, whether you’ve had one cake too many, or forgotten where you parked, even if when you get home you can’t find the TV remote — there’s always a reason to be thankful.
God has been faithful. He still is. And He always will be.
Let’s live each day with a grateful heart, a gentle smile, and a joyful spirit.
Let’s thank God for for laughter, for love, and for the gift of life.
Let’s be people who see the goodness of God, who cherish gratitude, and who reflect joy and peace to others.
Let me leave you with this little story.
An elderly gentleman, let’s call him David, had a very simple morning routine.
Every day, he’d wake up, stretch, yawn, and whisper, “Thank You, Lord—I’m still here.”
One day, his grandson asked him, “Grandad, why do you always thank God the moment you open your eyes?”
Arthur smiled and said, “Well, at my age, waking up is not something I take for granted! If I hear birds singing and not angels, I figure it’s going to be a good day!”
Then he added, “Besides, if the Good Lord gives me one more day, I’d better use it well—if only to find out where I put my glasses!”
What is the moral of this story?
Even the ordinary moments—like waking up, breathing, and hunting for your spectacles—are worth a “thank You, Lord.”
Every day is a gift, and gratitude is the ribbon that ties it all together.
So, tomorrow morning, when you hear your alarm clock ring… take that as a good sign — and start your day with a smile and a prayer of thanks!
