As I’ve grown closer to God, I’ve realized something powerful, the more I walk in the Spirit and not in my flesh, the more my heart truly changes. When you start living led by the Spirit, you begin to see life through a lens of gratitude. You notice blessings you once took for granted, and even the smallest things begin to feel like miracles.
I used to think “count your blessings” was just a cliché, something people said to sound positive when things weren’t going right. But now I understand how deeply true it is. When you stop focusing on what’s missing and start thanking God for what’s already there, something shifts. Your spirit becomes lighter, your heart becomes calmer, and your eyes begin to see the beauty in what you already have.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
The Power of Gratitude in the Ordinary
Sometimes, we get so used to our everyday blessings that we stop recognizing them as blessings. For me, that realization hit when I started to reflect on the things I overlook every day.
I thank God that I live in the United States. It’s not a perfect country, but I’ve seen places where women have no rights, no freedom, no voice. I’m grateful that I can live my life according to my beliefs and worship freely. That’s not something I take lightly.
I thank God for clean water, something so simple yet so sacred. I can wake up in the morning, take a shower, pour a glass of water, and water my grass without even thinking twice. But somewhere else in the world, someone is praying for what I already have.
And then there’s my home, my comfortable bed, a roof over my head, a safe place to rest. There are families who have lost everything, who don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight. Every time I open my eyes in the morning, I realize: I am blessed beyond measure.
I can walk. I can talk. I can see. I can breathe. If you can say the same, let me tell you, you are beyond blessed.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” — James 1:17 (NIV)
Shifting the Focus
There was a time when I was so focused on what I didn’t have that I completely missed everything I did have. My flesh wanted to complain, compare, and chase after what I thought would make me happy. But when I started walking in the Spirit, I realized contentment is a gift that brings peace no material thing can replace.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
That’s when I began asking myself deeper questions: What if I stopped worrying about what I don’t have and started celebrating what’s already in my hands? What if I thanked God for the things I used to overlook, the moments of laughter, the people who love me, the prayers He’s already answered?
When I started doing that, everything changed. The more I focused on gratitude, the more I saw God’s hand in my life. He didn’t always give me what I wanted, but He gave me everything I needed, and when I delighted myself in Him, He began to give me the desires of my heart in His perfect timing.
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
Trusting God’s Will Over My Wants
I’ve also learned that if God doesn’t give me something, it’s because He knows it’s not for me. If it’s not in His will, I don’t want it, no matter how much my flesh desires it. Because sometimes, what looks like rejection is really God’s protection.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” — Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
Surrender isn’t easy. It means trusting God when you don’t understand. It means believing that His “no” is still love, that His silence still carries purpose, and that His timing is never wrong. Every time I’ve tried to take control, I’ve ended up frustrated. But every time I’ve surrendered, peace followed.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
So now, I count my blessings, big and small. I thank Him for what I have and trust Him for what’s to come. And I remind myself daily: If it’s not from God, I don’t want it. If it’s not in His will, I release it. Because nothing compares to the peace that comes from walking in step with His Spirit.
When you start to see life through gratitude, everything changes. You stop chasing what’s temporary and start cherishing what’s eternal. And before you know it, you’ll look around and realize, you’ve been surrounded by blessings all along.
Every day is another chance to stop and ask yourself: What can I thank God for right now? Maybe it’s not everything you wanted, but it’s everything you need for this moment. And when you learn to be thankful in the small things, God will trust you with the big things.
Holy mess 