At first glance, gratitude seems simple—yet it demands our whole heart. It is more than a reaction to the good things in life—it is the path to inner freedom and to God’s salvation. Psalm 50:23 says “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Those who are grateful, not only see what they have, but also recognize the source.
In a world that revolves around itself, gratitude is a quiet but powerful counterforce. It protects us from negative comparisons with other people, from hard-heartedness, pride, and self-sufficiency. It leads us back to the source of all gifts, to God. For ultimately, nothing good in our lives is our own doing—everything is grace.
1. The essence of authentic gratitude
The word “authentic” means genuine, credible, unadulterated. Not feigned, not artificial—but true through and through.
Authentic gratitude is more than a polite, fleeting “thank you” or a feeling of elation in good times. It is gratitude that comes from the depths of the soul, sincere, honest, and enduring—even when God leads us through darkness and pain.
Gratitude grows in the presence of God. When we recognize His greatness, wisdom, love, and faithfulness, our perspective changes. Genuine gratitude does not need well-chosen words—because God sees and knows the heart. It is not a mood, but a quiet decision: “I will hold fast to God, even if I don’t understand everything right now.”
Job is an example of this. In Job 1:21, he declares: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Despite having lost everything—his children, his possessions, his security – there was no reproach, and no bitter words came over Job’s lips. In his deep pain, he turns to God with gratitude and worship.
This is neither self-evident nor easy. But it is possible—if the heart remains connected to God despite adverse circumstances.
2. What gratitude is not
We know there are useful plants in nature, some used for healing, others for nutrition. At the same time there are also look-alikes that are similar to the good plants but are worthless. This is also the case with respect to gratitude. There a kind of gratitude that is deceptive. It sounds right, may look pious, and yet it brings God no glory and does not honour him.
a) Gratitude is not arrogant
There was a Pharisee that prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). This prayer was not pleasing to God, since it was a prayer of pride and self-glorification. The Pharisee compares himself to others and places himself above them through his pious deeds and words. Such gratitude cannot please God and repels others.
Genuine gratitude grows out of humility. It knows that everything we have is undeserved mercy.
b) Gratitude is not superficial
Then there is a kind of gratitude that is only external—mechanical and habitual, without the heart being in it. It is possible to pray, “Lord, thank you for this day,” and yet the heart may be full of worry and doubt or even bitterness. We read in Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
God is not looking for pretty words. When we pray, He wants us to pray in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). David says: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:8).
God is not interested in a flawless facade or feigned piety. He invites us to come to him as we are—childlike, honest, and trusting.
3. Genuine gratitude
We have a wonderful privilege. We can come to God with everything—with joy and pain, trust and doubts, longing and anxious sighs. We can stay in His presence until our hearts find rest in His arms – comforted, strengthened, and filled with new gratitude and worship.
a) Thankful in all things
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We are called to remain thankful in all situations—even when they are difficult, unpleasant, and we don’t know what the future holds. This is not about cheap consolation, but reason to hope, for God knows the way and has counsel, strength, and the means to carry us through.
b) Gratitude is inexhaustible
Jesus says in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If our hearts are focused only on things that are temporary, our gratitude will waver—or break completely. But when God Himself is our treasure, the reason to give thanks remains—even in the greatest trials.
And who, if it is not us—His children, redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ—can have more reason to thank God from the bottom of our hearts?
c) Remembering the past
Giving thanks often begins with remembering. Those who forget God’s faithfulness become hardened. But those who consciously look back and recognize God’s work are filled anew with wonder and deep gratitude.
When God saved Israel in a hopeless situation, Samuel set up a memorial stone “and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’” (1 Samuel 7:12).
David also exclaims in Psalm 103:2: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Looking back with gratitude softens the heart—and makes it ready to remain grateful even when facing new challenges.
d) Growing in gratitude
Genuine gratitude flourishes if we practice it daily and it will become a character trait. We can begin the day with a simple prayer, “Thank you, Lord, that I may walk with you today!” Or we can consciously focus on small things that we experience: expressions of kindness, a ray of sunshine, a flower, the smell of coffee, a smile, or a moment of silence.
Gratitude grows in conversation with God, through reading His Word, through prayer, and being conscious of His goodness at all times. It is expressed in our conversations with our friends, our neighbors and in our behavior toward others.
Gratitude does not require everything to go right—it only requires an open heart. And there are plenty of reasons to be thankful. Every day. With all of our hearts.
Helene Rotfuss
Pforzheim, Germany
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