Count Your Blessings: Embracing a Lifestyle of Gratitude

A silhouette of a person with open arms stands against a breathtaking sunset, conveying a message to embrace gratitude and its grounding power every day.

How Gratitude Keeps Us Spiritually Aligned and Emotionally Grounded 

Welcome to another episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions. Today, we’re looking at a topic that’s simple yet transformative: the power of gratitude. You’ve probably heard the old hymn: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Those words are more than just lyrics—they’re a timeless principle rooted in God’s Word and echoed in our everyday lives. 

The Trap of Tunnel Vision 

There have been various periods in my life when I was focused on achieving significant personal progress—hoping for a major change or solution to a particular situation. This has included awaiting job opportunities or guidance during important decisions. During those times, while concentrating on that specific goal, other positive developments were still taking place—even if they were not the ones I initially expected. 

When we focus too much on what we’re waiting for, we can overlook our current blessings—not because they’re absent, but because we’ve stopped paying attention. 

Everyday Miracles We Miss 

Take something as simple as sleep. Most nights, I close my eyes and sleep through the night, waking up rested and renewed. But I’ve seen patients who lie in pain through the night, desperate for relief. The physical toll and emotional stress they experience is overwhelming. 

Peaceful sleep, being pain-free, taking a deep breath, walking without effort, seeing clearly—these are not small things. These are miracles. They’re not just the body doing what it’s supposed to; they are daily gifts from God. And if we’re not careful, we’ll take them for granted. 

Lessons from the Israelites' Journey 

This isn’t a new struggle. The Bible is full of stories where people forgot to count their blessings. One striking example is the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt. 

After over 400 years of slavery, God delivered them with powerful miracles—plagues, the Passover, parting the Red Sea, guiding them by cloud and fire, and feeding them with manna from heaven. Yet despite all of that, they grumbled. They fixated on the meat they missed in Egypt and said they wanted to go back. 

Imagine that: after walking through a sea on dry ground, they still longed for the past because they missed meat. Their focus on what they didn’t have blinded them to what God had already done. 

“And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?” —Numbers 11:4 (KJV) 

Gratitude could have changed everything for them. It could have kept them grounded in trust and faith, instead of drifting into discontent. 

Gratitude as a Lifestyle 

Gratitude isn’t just something we express on Thanksgiving or when something big happens. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a daily habit of recognizing God's hand in the small, routine, easily-overlooked moments. 

Start your day by saying, “Thank You, Lord, for breath in my lungs.” Thank Him for the food on your table, the roof over your head, the loved ones in your life, the peace in your heart. 

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) 

This command isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about positioning our hearts to see God’s goodness, no matter the season. 

Scientific and Spiritual Benefits of a Lifestyle of Gratitude 

Interestingly, science agrees with Scripture. Studies show that practicing gratitude improves sleep, boosts mood, strengthens the immune system, and reduces stress. It rewires the brain to notice the positive and fosters a healthier outlook on life. 

Spiritually, gratitude keeps us aligned. It shields us from bitterness, jealousy, and despair. It fuels contentment and draws us closer to God, reminding us that He’s always working, always present. 

Cultivating the Habit of Thankfulness 

So how can we grow in gratitude? 

• Start a Gratitude Journal – Each day, write down 3 things you’re thankful for. 

• Thank God in Prayer – Begin and end each day with thanksgiving. 

• Speak Gratitude Aloud – Verbalizing thankfulness helps solidify it in our minds and spirits. 

• Reflect Before Complaining – Pause and consider what’s going right before focusing on what’s wrong. 

  
  

These simple practices can transform our mindset and reshape how we see life—and how we see God. 

Look Again—You’re Already Blessed 

So today, take a moment. Breathe deeply. Look around. What has God done for you lately? You might be waiting on one big answer—but in the meantime, He’s been sending you daily love notes in the form of peace, provision, and presence. 

When we embrace a lifestyle of gratitude, we no longer live for “one day.” We live fully in this day, counting our blessings, naming them one by one—and yes, it truly will surprise you what the Lord has done. 

Have you had moments where God’s “little blessings” changed everything for you? Share your story or testimony in the comments below. Let’s encourage each other to see the beauty in our daily miracles.