The Art of a Grateful Heart - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Monday, March 19, 2018
by RBC Ministries

Details

The Art of a Grateful Heart

Read: Psalm 118:1-14, 26-29 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 1-3; Mark 16

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1

On our wedding day, Martie and I gladly vowed to be faithful "in good times as well as in bad, in sickness as well as in health, for richer or for poorer." In a way it may seem strange to include vows about the bleak reality of bad times, sickness, and poverty on a cheerful wedding day. But it underscores the fact that life often has "bad" times.

So what are we to do when we face life's inevitable difficulties? Paul urges us on behalf of Christ to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As difficult as that may sound, there is good reason why God encourages us to embrace a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is grounded in the truth that our Lord "is good" and "his love endures forever" (Psalm 118:1). He is present with us and strengthens us in the midst of trouble (Hebrews 13:5-6), and He lovingly uses our trials to grow our character into His likeness (Romans 5:3-4).

God, teach me to have a grateful heart.

When life hits us with hard times, choosing to be grateful focuses our attention on the goodness of God and gives us the strength to make it through our struggles. With the psalmist, we can sing, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 118:29).

Lord, I realize that focusing on my troubles causes me to forget that even in the midst of trials You are good. Teach me the art of a grateful heart.

Thanksgiving is a virtue that grows through practice.

By Joe Stowell

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

Open Heavens
for Wednesday, December 4, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

ENLIST A STRONGER ALLY

Its amazing that some people who need deliverance do not realize their need; rather they look for others to deliver while they remain in their bondages. In any way you need deliverance, it shall be given to you this season. If God has made several promises to you, and at the time they should be fulfilled none of...More

FALSE PROPHETS AND THEIR PROPHECIES-ELYMAS/BAR-JESUS

The LORD is near
for Thursday, December 12, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

FALSE PROPHETS AND THEIR PROPHECIES-ELYMAS/BAR-JESUS

A certain man a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent manElymas the magician (for so his name is by interpretation) opposed them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from faith. ButPaul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixing his...More

Open Heavens
for Thursday, January 2, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BORN FOR A PURPOSE

One of the things you must endeavour to know is God's purpose for your life. You were born for a purpose. You are not an accident. You are a product of divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The Almighty God does nothing arbitrarily. In everything He does, he is known for clear cut purposes. He knows where he...More

Open Heavens
for Wednesday, May 14, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

SOARING BEYOND THE SKY

You need peace of mind to succeed in life, business and ministry. To enjoy peace of mind, you need to overcome heartache, worry and anxiety. Forget past failures, disappointment and discouragement which can result in soul sickness. Soul sickness is the bane of life. Soul sickness is caused by lust, or as someone...More