Thankfulness is More than a Feeling

Thankfulness is more than a feeling—it’s a posture of faith. It’s a daily choice to lift our eyes off the past and fix them on Jesus, the One who not only redeems us but leads us into a future filled with hope.

Too often, we find ourselves looking back—revisiting the pain, the regrets, and the moments that broke our hearts. We rehearse old wounds and relive past traumas, almost as if we are trying to make sense of them through repetition. But the truth is, when we keep looking back, we end up standing still. We become trapped in the very memories that Jesus came to set us free from.

Christ did not die so that we could remain prisoners of our past. He came to give us freedom,

life, and the assurance that our story is not defined by where we’ve been—but by where He’s leading us. Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV) reminds us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God is not in the business of glorifying what’s behind us—He’s calling us to behold what He is doing ahead.

When we dwell too long on what’s behind, we experience our trauma all over again. But when we look to Jesus, healing begins. He doesn’t see us through the lens of what happened to us; He sees us through the lens of what He did for us. To Him, we are not broken or damaged—we are forgiven, redeemed, and restored. We are children of the Most High God. That truth alone should stir up a deep thankfulness within our hearts.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on that: We don’t have to look back anymore. The shame, the sorrow, the missed opportunities—all of it has been covered by the blood of Jesus. He came to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim freedom for the captives (Isaiah 61:1). That’s you and me. He came so that the weight of the past no longer has power over our present or our future.

When we live in gratitude, we make room for God’s peace to reign in our hearts. Thankfulness shifts our focus. Instead of fixating on what we’ve lost, we begin to see what God is building. Instead of replaying what broke us, we begin to rejoice in the One who made us whole.

Jesus is preparing a future for us—not just in this life, but for eternity. He has gone ahead to prepare a place, a heavenly home where every tear will be wiped away and every sorrow will be forgotten. What a reason to be thankful! This life, with all its ups and downs, is only temporary.

Our real home, our absolute joy, is waiting beyond the horizon.

The greatest act of thankfulness we can offer is to live each day with our eyes on the cross—and on the empty tomb. Jesus made the way for us through His life, His death, and His resurrection. He laid down His life as the ultimate Lamb, taking upon Himself the sin and sorrow of the world. God gave His Son so that we might live—not just survive, but truly live, with purpose and peace and the promise of eternity.

When we keep that perspective, gratitude flows naturally. It doesn’t mean life will be easy. We will still face daily battles—moments that test our strength and shake our faith—but these struggles are temporary. They do not define us. They are opportunities to grow stronger, to trust deeper, and to glorify God even in the middle of the storm.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13–14, (NIV) “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” That’s our mission—to keep pressing forward, to fix our eyes on the prize, and to live in such a way that every step, every word, every choice reflects His glory.

So today—and every day—let’s be thankful. Thankful that Jesus is closer than a brother. Thankful that His mercy is new every morning. Grateful that we don’t have to look back because our Savior has already rewritten our story.

No matter what the past holds, we have a future designed by God Himself. A future where freedom replaces fear, where peace replaces pain, and where grace replaces guilt.

Let’s live thankful lives—eyes forward, hearts open, anchored in the unshakable hope of Jesus Christ. Because He has made the way, and our future in Him is secure.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of today and for the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Help us to stop looking back and to let go of the pain, guilt, and fear that try to hold us captive. Teach us to fix our eyes on You—to trust Your plan and walk boldly into the future You have prepared. Thank You for sending Your Son, the Lamb who takes away our sin, and for the promise of eternal life with You. Fill our hearts with gratitude, peace, and unshakable faith as we follow You each day.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen