Thankful in Spite: Choosing Gratitude Through Life’s Storms

Devotional

Day 1: Thankfulness is a Faith Position, Not a Feeling

Thankfulness is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a deliberate act of faith that chooses to focus on God's goodness even when circumstances are difficult. When you look back over your life, you can see the doors God opened, the dangers He kept you from, and the prayers He answered—sometimes in ways better than you could have imagined. True thankfulness doesn't ignore reality but interprets it through the lens of God's faithfulness, inviting joy and strengthening your faith for what is yet to come. Even when life is hard, God holds you, fights for you, and restores your strength, giving you every reason to say, "Thank you." [13:10]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are facing right now where you can choose to thank God in faith, even before you see the outcome?

Day 2: Gratitude Requires a Perspective Shift

Gratitude is not about waiting for perfect conditions; it is a choice to recognize God's hand in your life, even in the midst of imperfection. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 shows that while all received healing, only one returned to give thanks—demonstrating that the difference was not in what they received, but in how they saw it. If you only thank God when everything is perfect, you may miss the blessing of gratitude altogether. Instead, shift your perspective to see every blessing, big or small, as a gift from God, and let your heart respond with genuine thankfulness. [19:25]

Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)
"As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!' He looked at them and said, 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?' And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life have you become so accustomed to God's blessings that you have stopped recognizing them as gifts? How can you shift your perspective today?

Day 3: Gratitude Grows Out of Memory

Gratitude flourishes when you remember where God has brought you from—the pain, the isolation, the hopelessness, and the moments when you thought you wouldn't make it. The one leper who returned to Jesus did so because he remembered his past and could fully appreciate his present. Forgetting the prayers you once prayed or the tears you once cried can lead to spiritual amnesia, but remembering God's faithfulness keeps you humble, thankful, and worshipful. Let your memory fuel your gratitude, and let your gratitude turn into praise. [24:22]

Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Reflection: Take a moment to recall a time when God brought you through a difficult season. How does remembering that experience inspire you to thank Him today?

Day 4: Gratitude Has a Sound and Requires Worship

True gratitude cannot remain silent; it must be expressed in worship, both in voice and in posture. The leper who returned to Jesus lifted his voice in praise and fell at Jesus' feet in humility, showing that gratitude is not just an inward feeling but an outward expression. When you know what God has brought you out of, your thank you should be louder than your trouble. Worship is what gratitude sounds and looks like—it's gratitude turned God's direction, refusing to be silent and giving God the glory He deserves. [28:21]

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Reflection: How can you intentionally express your gratitude to God today—through your words, your worship, or your actions—so that your thankfulness is heard and seen?

Day 5: Gratitude Leads to Wholeness

Gratitude does more than acknowledge a blessing; it opens the door to deeper transformation and relationship with God. While all ten lepers were cleansed, only the one who returned with gratitude was made whole—restored in body, mind, and spirit. Gratitude shifts your heart, aligns your spirit, and allows God to heal what is inside, not just what is outside. When you come back to Jesus with a thank you, you receive more than a miracle; you receive wholeness, peace, and a deeper connection with the Savior. [31:56]

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have received a blessing but have not yet returned to God with gratitude? What step can you take today to come back to Jesus and experience His wholeness?

Sermon Summary

Gratitude is not just a seasonal gesture or a polite response to blessings received; it is a posture of faith that transforms our lives from the inside out. In reflecting on another year of God’s faithfulness—through challenges, transitions, and victories—it becomes clear that thankfulness is not about perfect circumstances, but about recognizing God’s hand in every circumstance. Even when life is hard, when prayers seem unanswered, or when storms rage, God’s goodness remains constant. The call is to pause, reflect, and remember all the ways God has kept, protected, and provided for us, even in ways we never saw or understood at the time.

Thankfulness is a powerful spiritual discipline. It is more than a feeling; it is a decision to focus on God’s faithfulness rather than our frustrations. When we look at the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, we see that all ten received a miracle, but only one returned to give thanks. This one leper’s response teaches us that gratitude requires a shift in perspective. It is easy to become accustomed to God’s blessings and forget the Giver. True gratitude remembers where we came from, the prayers we once prayed, and the pain we once endured. It refuses to let comfort cause amnesia.

Gratitude also has a sound—it cannot remain silent. The one leper returned with a loud voice, glorifying God and falling at Jesus’ feet in worship. Real thankfulness is expressed, not just felt. It is both a declaration and a posture of humility, acknowledging that every good thing comes from God. Moreover, gratitude leads to wholeness. While all ten lepers were cleansed, only the one who returned in gratitude was made whole. Blessings may change our circumstances, but gratitude changes us. It opens the door to deeper relationship with God, aligning our hearts with His and allowing Him to heal what is broken within us.

No matter what we face—uncertainty, lack, pain, or disappointment—there is always a reason to come back to God with a thank you. Gratitude is the key that unlocks joy, peace, and spiritual wholeness. It is not about ignoring reality, but about interpreting reality through the lens of God’s faithfulness. In every season, in every situation, let us be the ones who return, who remember, and who worship with grateful hearts.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Requires a Perspective Shift Gratitude is not dependent on perfect conditions but is a conscious choice to see God’s hand in every situation. When we shift our perspective from what is lacking to what God has already done, we move from entitlement to appreciation. This shift allows us to enjoy blessings fully and keeps our hearts from growing cold or empty, even in abundance. [19:05]
2. Memory Fuels Thankfulness True gratitude is rooted in remembering where God has brought us from. When we recall past struggles, answered prayers, and God’s sustaining grace, our hearts are stirred to genuine thankfulness. Forgetting leads to ingratitude, but remembering keeps us humble and worshipful, ensuring we never take God’s goodness for granted. [23:40]
3. Gratitude Must Be Expressed Thankfulness is not meant to be silent or private; it is meant to be declared and demonstrated. Like the one leper, our gratitude should have a sound—spoken praise, worship, and acts of humility. Expressed gratitude honors God and deepens our relationship with Him, turning blessings into opportunities for worship. [27:49]
4. Gratitude Leads to Wholeness Receiving blessings can change our circumstances, but only gratitude transforms our hearts. The one who returned to Jesus was not just cleansed but made whole—restored in body, mind, and spirit. Gratitude opens us to deeper healing and intimacy with God, moving us from mere receivers to true worshipers. [31:29]
5. Faithful Thankfulness in Every Season Thankfulness is not reserved for seasons of abundance but is a declaration of faith in every season, even in lack or uncertainty. When we choose to thank God “in spite of,” we declare our trust in His sovereignty and goodness, closing the door to bitterness and opening the door to peace and victory.

** [38:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:42] - Opening Reflections and Thanksgiving
[09:13] - Personal Reflection and Silent Gratitude
[11:24] - Honest Acknowledgment of Hardship
[12:31] - The Power of Thankfulness
[14:19] - Thankful In Spite Of
[16:14] - The Ten Lepers: Luke 17
[17:33] - Gratitude Is a Decision
[19:05] - Perspective Shift: Recognizing Blessings
[21:24] - Praising God On the Way
[22:44] - Gratitude Requires Memory
[25:48] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[27:49] - Gratitude Has a Sound
[30:10] - Gratitude Leads to Holiness
[31:29] - Wholeness Through Thankfulness
[34:58] - Returning With Thanksgiving
[38:35] - Thankful In Every Circumstance
[41:04] - Faith Over Reality
[42:46] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[44:44] - Farewell and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thankful in Spite Of

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### Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

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### Observation Questions

In the story of the ten lepers, what did Jesus tell the men to do after they cried out for mercy, and what happened as they obeyed? (Luke 17:14)
According to the sermon, what was the main difference between the one leper who returned and the nine who did not? [[19:05]]
How did the one leper express his gratitude when he came back to Jesus? [[27:49]]
What did Jesus say to the one who returned that he did not say to the others? (Luke 17:19)

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Gratitude is not a reaction to perfect circumstances. It's a decision in imperfect ones.” What does this mean for someone going through a hard season? [[17:33]]
Why do you think it’s easy to forget to thank God after receiving blessings, as described in the sermon? [[24:47]]
The pastor said, “Gratitude has a sound. You can't be truly thankful and stay silent.” Why is it important to express gratitude out loud and not just feel it inside? [[27:49]]
What does it mean that the one leper was made “whole” and not just healed? How is wholeness different from just having your problem fixed? [[31:29]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon talked about shifting our perspective from what we lack to what God has already done. This week, what is one specific thing you can thank God for, even if your situation isn’t perfect? [[19:05]]
The pastor said, “Some people lose their gratitude because they lose their memory.” Is there a past prayer or struggle that God brought you through, but you haven’t thanked Him for lately? How can you remember and give thanks for it this week? [[24:47]]
The one leper came back with a loud voice and worshiped at Jesus’ feet. What is one way you can express your gratitude to God out loud or in action this week? [[27:49]]
The sermon said, “Gratitude leads to wholeness.” Is there an area in your life where you feel blessed but not whole? How might practicing gratitude help you experience deeper healing or peace? [[31:29]]
The pastor challenged us to be “thankful in spite of”—even when life is hard. Can you share a current challenge where you are struggling to be thankful? What would it look like to thank God in the middle of it? [[14:41]]
The sermon mentioned that comfort can cause “amnesia” and make us forget God’s goodness. Are there blessings in your life that you’ve started to take for granted? How can you guard against this kind of forgetfulness? [[24:47]]
The pastor said, “If you still have a voice, you still have a thank you.” What is one way you can use your voice to encourage someone else to be thankful this week? [[29:47]]

Sermon Clips

Thankfulness invites joy, because you can't complain and rejoice at the same time. Thankfulness strengthens faith, because every time you remember what he's already done, you believe him for what he's about to do. Thankfulness will shift the atmosphere. It will change your home, your mind, your perspective, and even your worship. And thankfulness reminds us that God has been better to us than life has been to us. [00:13:04] (31 seconds) #JoyInThankfulness

The truth is, ladies and gentlemen, is that anybody can be grateful when everything is easy. Anybody can praise when the bank account is full, the family is healthy, and the plan is working. But real thankfulness shows up when life gets difficult. Real thankfulness says, I may not have everything I want, but I thank God I still have everything I need. I may not have much, but I thank God he keeps making a way. I may not see tomorrow clearly, but I thank God he woke me up this morning. [00:13:46] (38 seconds) #GratefulInHardship

Can you still say thank you when life is life? When the bills are due and diagnosis is scary, when the job is uncertain, when the kids are acting up, when your heart is heavy, when the prayer hasn't been answered yet, can you still say thank you? Because anybody can praise God when everything is good, but real gratitude shows up when life gets complicated. Real gratitude shows up when the storm is raging. Real gratitude shows up when the miracle hasn't manifested yet. [00:14:43] (37 seconds) #GratitudeInTheStorm

God is not just looking for receivers. He's looking for returns. Hope I can help somebody today because he's looking for people who don't just take the blessing and disappear, but come back with a thank you. Whether we admit it or not, we all know some people prayed for it but never praised for it. We all know some people who cried for it but never came back and said, Lord, I appreciate you. [00:18:06] (28 seconds) #ReturnWithThanks

When gratitude is missing, you can have a house and still feel homeless. You can have a job and still feel unfulfilled. You can have relationships and still feel alone. You can have the money and still feel broke because the problem isn't the blessing. The problem is that the heart never stops long enough to say thank you. [00:20:38] (25 seconds) #HeartThatSaysThanks

Sometimes you have to praise God on the way, not just when you arrive. The scripture says, as they went, they were cleansed. That means the miracle happened in motion, which means gratitude should happen in motion. You see, some people are waiting for the blessing to be complete, but God is looking for people who will thank him while it's still developing. While you're still walking. While you're still trusting. While you're still believing. [00:21:35] (33 seconds) #PraiseInProgress

Gratitude doesn't just clap. Gratitude bows. Gratitude doesn't just acknowledge God's hand. Gratitude submits to God's heart. Worship is what gratitude sounds like. Worship is what gratitude looks like. Worship is gratitude turned God's direction. So many people enjoy the blessing, but never return for the worship. But the one came back because gratitude refuses to be silent. And if you still have a voice, you still have a thank you. If you still have breath, you still owe him worship. [00:29:33] (33 seconds) #GratitudeIsWorship

Gratitude leads to holiness. Say holiness. All ten lepers, hear this, were cleansed, but only one was truly healed. And that difference is powerful because being cleansed changed their physical condition. But being healed transformed his entire life. Scripture never records Jesus telling the other nine, your faith has made you whole. He only spoke those words to the one who came back with gratitude. Why? Because gratitude doesn't just change your situation. It changes you. [00:30:14] (43 seconds) #GratitudeLeadsToHealing

Gratitude takes you beyond the blessing and into relationship. It shifts your heart, aligns your spirit, and opens the door to deeper work from God. Cleansing fixes what's on the outside. But gratitude allows God to heal what's on the inside. The nine got a miracle, but the one got a relationship. The nine got restoration, but the one got revelation. The nine walked away healed, but the one walked away whole. [00:31:09] (32 seconds) #GratitudeTransforms

Gratitude doesn't just change what you have. It changes who you are. Everybody can receive a blessing, but only the grateful receive wholeness. Healing fixes what's wrong, but wholeness restores what's missing. And I wonder, is there anybody in this room who can be like the one leper and come back with a thank you? Because gratitude leads to wholeness. [00:33:28] (25 seconds) #GratitudeChangesYou

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