“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2
A few weeks ago, I experienced a small but profound event that could have spiraled into a crisis, yet by God’s grace, it didn’t and left me full of thanks for God’s provision. I had driven from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to Fayetteville, Arkansas, through the winding Ozark roads. On my way, I stopped in Springdale to play pickleball with my brother for a couple of hours. About five miles from my destination, the tire pressure light on my dashboard blinked on. A twinge of worry hit me, but I pressed on, praying for safety. Miraculously, I reached Fayetteville without incident. The next morning, I found my rear passenger tire was completely flat. My brother discovered a massive metal spike—nearly half the length of a railroad tie—completely buried in the tire. The tire was irreparably damaged, but the air held just long enough for me to make it safely. In that moment, I realized this was no mere luck—it was a divine miracle of prevention. What could have been a dangerous blowout in the dark—never happened. God shielded me from unseen danger.
This experience was an important reminder to thank God not only for the blessings I see, but also for the countless calamities He prevents. Developing a heart of thankfulness is kind of like possessing a goose that lays golden eggs. The more thankful we are, the more we realize the great richness we have in God’s presence. God’s constant protection is a great reason to be thankful!
Scripture is filled with reminders of God’s protective hand. Psalm 121:7-8 assures us, “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” God is constantly shielding us from harms we never even notice. In 2 Kings 6:15-17, when Elisha’s servant feared the enemy army encircling them, Elisha prayed, and God opened the servant’s eyes to see His fiery chariots surrounding them. God’s unseen protection is all around His children! My friend, we have no idea how many times have His angels have diverted disaster from our paths!
A heart filled with gratitude for God’s unseen mercies leads to fullness of life and deep satisfaction.
Colossians 2:6-7 instructs: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” A heart of gratitude reveals the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10 when He said:
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
A thankful heart gives us God’s perspective and frees us to live in our joy—despite our worst circumstances. That’s why Paul could write while unjustly imprisoned:
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11–13
When we struggle to find reasons to give thanks, we can start with thanking God for the bad things that didn’t happen. Thank God for the accidents He prevented, the illnesses He kept at bay, the temptations He helped us resist. Each day we wake and can get out of bed is a mercy to celebrate. For me, God preventing that blowout for that final five miles awakened my sense of thankfulness. God is never off duty. I need to be more deliberately thankful instead of taking Him for granted. Thankfulness is a mindset! And…
…thankfulness prepares us for the times when we do have trouble—because we will!
When we are constantly training ourselves to have the mind of Christ and to become more thankful, we will ride out even the most terrible circumstances with undimmed hope. Hard times cannot thwart God’s divine purpose in our life.
When we possess the gift of salvation, God fills our life with endless eternal opportunities and brings us purpose and hope. When we cultivate a thankful heart, we begin to live in the richness of God’s presence. Gratitude opens the door to peace and contentment. Peace and thankfulness go hand in hand. Gratitude reframes our perspective—it moves us from “Why did this happen?” to “Lord, thank You for how You held me through it.” It’s not that our life ever becomes easier, but rather, our greatest hope is in God, who never fails—instead of people, things, and circumstances—which always fail.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer:
Father, thank You for all that You’ve done—and all that You’ve prevented. Thank You for the unseen mercies, the dangers I never faced, the moments You carried me without my knowing. Forgive me for taking Your protection and presence for granted. Teach me to live with eyes wide open and a heart full of gratitude. Today, I choose to thank You—not just for what I can see, but for every miracle hidden behind the curtain of Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
