An Attitude of Gratitude: Choosing Joy and Peace

Devotional

Day 1: Seek God Diligently and Find True Fulfillment

God is not hiding from you to remain hidden; He invites you to seek Him with your whole heart, promising that when you do, you will find Him. In His presence, you discover riches and honor, enduring wealth, and righteousness—gifts far greater than anything the world can offer. When you come before God in prayer and worship, you are met with a love and grace that surpasses all understanding, and you realize that He is better than any promotion, relationship, or earthly blessing you could ever pursue. Let your heart be encouraged to seek Him boldly, knowing that He is ready to embrace you and bring life change as you draw near. [22:32]

Proverbs 8:15-18 (NASB)
"By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been searching for fulfillment apart from God? How can you intentionally seek Him first in that area today?

Day 2: Rejoice in the Lord Always—Choose Gratitude Over Negativity

No matter your circumstances, you are called to rejoice in the Lord always. Gratitude is not just a feeling but a practice that transforms your outlook and your life. When you choose to be glad in God, even in difficult seasons, you shift your focus from negativity and complaints to the blessings and favor that surround you. This attitude of gratitude changes not only your actions but also the way you think, helping you to see the best in people and situations. As you practice rejoicing and thankfulness, you begin to find reasons to celebrate and honor God in every season. [55:11]

Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to complain or focus on the negative. How can you intentionally choose gratitude and rejoice in God in that situation today?

Day 3: Bring Everything to God with Thanksgiving and Experience His Peace

God invites you to bring every care, burden, and request to Him—not just the big things, but everything—through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. When you do this, you are reminded that nothing is excluded from God's hands, and He is working all things together for your good. Gratitude in prayer shifts your heart from anxiety and division to trust and unity with God. As you thank Him for His grace in every season, you open yourself to His peace, which guards your heart and mind beyond what you can comprehend. [01:02:46]

Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one worry or burden you are carrying today? Take a moment to bring it to God in prayer, thanking Him for His grace, and ask Him for His peace.

Day 4: Dwell on What Is Excellent and Worthy of Praise

Your mind is shaped by what you choose to dwell on. God calls you to focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute—anything excellent or worthy of praise. When you spend time meditating on these things, you reprogram your mind to see God's goodness and favor, even in the midst of challenges. This practice of gratitude and positive focus lifts your spirit, increases your joy, and transforms your relationships and worship. Life may not always be easy, but when you dwell on God's blessings, you find strength and hope for every season. [01:08:44]

Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Reflection: What is one specific thing today that is true, honorable, or praiseworthy in your life? How can you intentionally dwell on it and thank God for it throughout your day?

Day 5: Let Gratitude Overflow into Action and Relationships

Gratitude is not just an internal feeling but an outward expression that honors God and others. When you choose to live with an attitude of gratitude, it overflows into your words and actions—encouraging those around you, strengthening your relationships, and making your faith contagious. Whether it's telling a loved one how much you appreciate them, serving your community, or simply smiling more, your gratitude can be a light in a world often focused on negativity. As you practice gratitude daily, you become more life-giving, joyful, and aligned with God's heart, impacting your world for the better. [01:10:45]

Colossians 3:15-17 (NASB)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Reflection: Who is one person you have not expressed your gratitude to recently? Take time today to reach out and let them know how thankful you are for them.

Sermon Summary

Gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s a way of life that transforms our hearts, our relationships, and our worship. No matter where we find ourselves—whether in seasons of joy or in the midst of struggle—God’s faithfulness never wavers. He is always pursuing us, always present, and always ready to meet us right where we are. When we gather together, we have the privilege of entering His presence, lifting our voices, and declaring His goodness. This is not something we have to do, but something we get to do—a gift and a calling.

We are invited to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, not just as a fleeting moment, but as a daily practice. Gratitude is deeply connected to honor; it’s not enough to feel thankful internally—we are called to express it outwardly, to God and to others. When we choose gratitude, we push out negativity and complaining, and we begin to see life through a different lens. The joy and passion in our worship, our prayers, and our relationships are often a direct reflection of what we are truly grateful for.

Scripture teaches us that rejoicing is not conditional on our circumstances. Philippians 4 calls us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” This is possible because our faith is rooted in a God who is near, who works all things for our good, and who offers us peace that surpasses understanding. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline that also brings tangible benefits: it releases toxic emotions, reduces pain, improves sleep, regulates stress, and even helps with anxiety and depression. When we focus on what is true, honorable, pure, and praiseworthy, we reprogram our minds to dwell on God’s goodness rather than life’s problems.

Gratitude is a choice. It’s easy to find reasons to complain or be negative, but as followers of Jesus, we are called to be the most joyful, life-giving people in the world. When we practice gratitude, we not only honor God, but we also become a blessing to those around us. Our lives become marked by peace, steadiness, and a contagious joy that points others to Christ. Let’s be intentional about expressing gratitude—to God, to our families, to our friends, and to our church. Let’s build a lifestyle where gratitude is our default, and watch how God transforms us from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude is a daily spiritual practice Gratitude isn’t a one-time event or a fleeting feeling; it’s a discipline that must be cultivated every day. By intentionally choosing to focus on God’s faithfulness and the blessings in our lives, we train our hearts and minds to see His goodness, even in difficult seasons. This practice shapes our character and deepens our relationship with God. [63:52]
2. Rejoicing is rooted in God’s nearness, not circumstances True joy and gladness are not dependent on favorable situations, but on the unchanging reality that God is near. When we anchor our hearts in His presence, we can rejoice always, knowing that He is working all things for our good—even when life doesn’t make sense. This rootedness brings a steadiness that transcends our circumstances. [55:11]
3. Gratitude transforms our inner and outer life A grateful heart leads to visible change: it brings joy, lightness, and a life-giving spirit to our interactions. Science even confirms that gratitude reduces toxic emotions, pain, stress, and anxiety. When we choose gratitude, we become more resilient, more peaceful, and more able to bless others. [49:20]
4. Peace comes from unity with God The peace of God is not just the absence of anxiety, but the presence of unity with Him. When we are united with God, His peace guards our hearts and minds, creating stillness in the midst of chaos. This peace doesn’t always make sense to the world, but it is a powerful testimony of God’s presence in our lives. [64:30]
5. Expressing gratitude changes our relationships Gratitude is meant to be expressed, not just felt. When we tell others we are thankful for them, we honor them and strengthen our relationships. This outward expression of gratitude builds community, encourages others, and reflects the heart of Christ to the world. [44:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:45] - God’s Relentless Love and Grace
[21:17] - The Power of Prayer and Worship
[22:32] - Seeking God Above All Else
[39:23] - Church Family Updates and Announcements
[41:48] - Practicing Thankfulness
[44:22] - Gratitude as a Form of Honor
[45:59] - The Outward Impact of Gratitude
[47:01] - Passionate Worship Flows from Gratitude
[49:20] - Scientific Benefits of Gratitude
[51:41] - Gratitude and Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
[53:21] - Philippians 4: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving
[55:11] - The Root of Rejoicing
[58:11] - Overcoming Anxiety with Gratitude
[64:30] - The Peace of God Unites Us
[68:44] - Dwell on What is Praiseworthy
[71:15] - Building a Lifestyle of Gratitude
[72:38] - Invitation to New Life in Christ
[73:48] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building a Lifestyle of Gratitude

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### Bible Reading

Philippians 4:4-8 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

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### Observation Questions

According to Philippians 4:4-5, what is the reason Paul gives for being able to rejoice always, regardless of circumstances?
In the sermon, what are some of the practical and scientific benefits of gratitude that were mentioned? ([49:20])
What does the passage say will guard our hearts and minds when we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving?
How does the sermon describe the connection between gratitude and the way we interact with others? ([44:22])

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “A rooted faith can always find a reason to be glad in God.” What does it mean for someone’s faith to be “rooted,” and how does that help them choose gratitude in hard times? ([55:11])
Why do you think Paul repeats the command to “rejoice” in Philippians 4:4? What does this repetition tell us about the importance of joy and gratitude in the Christian life?
The sermon talks about gratitude as a spiritual discipline, not just a feeling. How might practicing gratitude daily shape someone’s relationship with God? ([01:03:52])
The peace of God is described as surpassing all understanding and coming from unity with Him. How is this different from the world’s idea of peace? ([01:04:30])

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to move from “I got to” to “I get to”—for example, “I get to worship,” “I get to go to work.” What is one area of your life where you can shift your mindset from obligation to gratitude this week? ([56:54])
Think about a recent situation where you felt anxious or stressed. How could you have responded differently if you had chosen to focus on gratitude and God’s nearness? ([58:11])
The sermon says that gratitude is meant to be expressed, not just felt. Who is one person you haven’t thanked recently that you could reach out to this week? How might that change your relationship? ([44:22])
The passage encourages us to “dwell” on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. What is one practical way you can reprogram your mind to focus on these things instead of negativity? ([01:08:44])
The sermon mentions that gratitude can help with anxiety, stress, and even sleep. Is there a specific time of day (like before bed) when you could intentionally practice gratitude? What would that look like for you? ([49:53])
The pastor shared that sometimes we need to tell our spouse, kids, or friends that we’re grateful for them. Who in your life needs to hear that from you this week, and how will you let them know? ([01:10:17])
The sermon says, “Believers of Jesus should be the happiest, most grateful, life-giving people on the planet.” What is one step you can take this week to let your gratitude and joy be contagious to others? ([44:22])

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Sermon Clips

When we create an attitude of gratitude, what happens is we begin to push out attitudes of negativity and complaining, and we begin to choose what we're grateful for. We begin to choose what we're going to celebrate. In fact, Proverbs chapter 15 verse 13—some of you are looking for a makeover in your life, you're like, what can I do, I need a makeover—I'm going to give you one right here. Says it's a joyful heart makes a cheerful face. You want a makeover? Just smile. There you go. It's the cheapest one you'll have. Just smile. [00:45:42] (30 seconds) #ChooseGratitudeSmile

If I'm not willing to passionately worship God, I don't know if I've been through anything with God. I'm grateful for what he's brought me through. I'm grateful for the good times and the bad times, the hard times and the easy times. I'm grateful for the times where it felt like I was coasting, and I'm grateful for the times where I knew that I was exploding in growth. And I'm also grateful for the times where I was sad and down and in the dumps for a little while, because God never left me through it all. [00:47:47] (26 seconds) #GratefulThroughItAll

What if we just flip that and said, no, I'm a believer in Christ. Man, I got a lot to be thankful for. I'm not going to get weighed down by all the burdens and all the negativity and all the complaints. I'm going to be positive today. I'm going to choose gratitude. I'm going to choose joy. I'm going to choose to be happy. I'm going to look for a reason to be glad, not mad at everything. I'm going to change my mentality from got to to get to. I don't got to worship, I get to worship. [00:57:43] (28 seconds) #GratitudeTransformsMindset

We can fight anxiety—hear me—you can fight anxiety with rejoicing and gratitude and remembering the Lord is near in whatever situation you're in. This verse continues: in everything, not some things, not in the little things, not in the things where you can't do it, not in the big thing, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Everything. Nothing is excluded from God's hands. Nothing is excluded from God's hands. [01:00:39] (36 seconds) #GratitudeIsPractice

It's just knowing I'm okay even if I'm not okay. And sometimes it's okay to just say I'm not okay. But I'm still going to be okay. Are you with me? It's the uniting of the peace. And it says, which surpasses all understanding. Have you ever been around somebody? Or maybe in your own life to where you're just like, I don't know why, but I'm okay. And you look at them and you watch them go through life and through difficulty or even celebration, you're like, I don't know why they're okay, but they're okay. [01:06:02] (27 seconds) #ChooseGratitudeToday

He actually gives us a way to do this. He says in verse eight, finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good reputation, if there's any excellence in it, if there's anything, anything worthy of praise. In other words, dissect everything and find what's worthy of praise. Break down everything and find what has excellence in it, the excellence of God. [01:07:44] (38 seconds) #BuildALifestyleOfGratitude

He says, find those things, and then he says this, dwell on these things. He doesn't say, here's an idea, take your Bible and find a few of those things and spend about three minutes a day on that. Right before you go to bed, it'll be helpful. No, here's what he says, dwell. Spend time on those things. If there's anything worthy of praise, anything of excellence of God, anything true, noble, good reputation, anything of God, find those things and hang out there. [01:08:23] (35 seconds) #NewLifeInGratitude

If we'll spend time thanking God for his grace and his favor, if we'll spend time on the things that are honorable, true, right, pure, of good reputation, anything of excellence, anything worthy of praise, can I tell you something? Gratitude shoots through the roof. Because I'm reprogramming my mind to think on things above, not on things of the world. And I'm reprogramming myself to go, I got a lot to be grateful for. [01:09:03] (26 seconds)

Does that mean that life is always rainbows and skittles? No. But you know what it is? A blessing. And whenever I get to a place where I'm like, God, I'm so grateful, it means something. Now worship looks a little different. Hard times look a little different. Good times look a little different. Well, I'm grateful, man. Maybe, maybe we'd be a little happier if we chose gratitude. Maybe negativity wouldn't win the headlines if we chose gratitude. [01:09:30] (32 seconds)

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