iv e D a y s of Th a n ks

F
Select readings from author

Sarah Young
 Day 1

Ask Me to increase your thankfulness. This will brighten your day and open your heart to Me.
Seek to “see” Me in the midst of your circumstances. Look for signs of My unseen Presence
as you walk along the path of Life. Gratefulness opens not only your heart but also your eyes.
When you know Me intimately, you can find Me in myriad tiny details as well as in the big
picture of your life. Take time to notice all My blessings—small and large—and to thank Me for
them. This practice will help you enjoy My many gifts.

Ask Me also to train you in trusting Me more consistently. Well-developed trust enables you
to go across treacherous terrain without stumbling. The more challenging your journey, the
more frequently you need to voice your confidence in Me. You can pray, “Lord, I trust in Your
unfailing Love.” This short prayer reminds you that I am with you, I am taking care of you, and I
love you forever. Rejoice, beloved, for I am truly worthy of your thankfulness and trust.

—Jesus Always, March 26

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly
rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were
instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. —Colossians 2:6-7 NASB

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are
pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11 NKJV

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for
ever and ever. —Psalm 52:8

Journaling prompt You can pray, “Lord, I trust in Your unfailing Love.” This short prayer
reminds you that I am with you, I am taking care of you, and I love you forever.
 Day 2

It is impossible to praise or thank Me too much. As it is written, I inhabit the praises of My

people. Sometimes your adorartion is a spontaneous overflow of Joy, in response to radiant
beauty or rich blessings. At other times your praise is more disciplined and measured—an act
of your will. I dwell equally in both types of praise. Thankfulness, also, is a royal road to draw
near Me. A thankful heart has plenty of room for Me.

When you thank Me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all
blessings flow. When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty
is a show¬piece in invisible realms. Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and
thanksgiving. This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My Presence.

—Jesus Calling, January 7

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. —Psalm 22:3 KJV

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to
my God as long as I live. —Psalm 146:1–2

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
—1 Thessalonians 5:18

Journaling prompt When hard times come, view them as opportunities to expand the scope
of your trust—living by faith in these challenging seasons. Don’t waste the opportunities; use
them to come closer to Me.
 Day 3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. So when you’re acutely
aware of your insufficiency—rejoice! This is what being poor in spirit is all about. The world
applauds self-sufficiency, and bookstores abound with volumes designed to help you reach
this goal. However, this is not the way of My kingdom. I want My children to recognize and
rejoice in their utter dependence on Me.

You have been saved by grace, through faith. Both grace and faith are gifts! Your part is to
be receptive and responsive to these glorious gifts. The best response is gratitude—a heart
overflowing with thankfulness for all I have done. You are exceedingly blessed because the
kingdom of heaven is yours. When the strain of living in this fallen world is getting you down,
resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself. Instead, say to yourself, “I am blessed and
thankful—and on my way to Glory!”
—Jesus Today, p. 198

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:3 NKJV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God. —Ephesians 2:8

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! —2 Corinthians 9:15

You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. —Psalm 73:24 NKJV

Journaling prompt Through My finished work on the cross and your belief in Me as your
Savior, you have received the greatest gift of all: eternal Life. Even the faith needed to receive
salvation is a gift.
 Day 4

When you are thankful, you worship Me acceptably—with reverence and awe. Thanksgiving
is not just a holiday celebration once a year. It’s an attitude of the heart that produces Joy; it
is also a biblical command. You cannot worship Me acceptably with an ungrateful heart. You
may go through the motions, but your ingratitude will hold you back.

Whenever you’re struggling spiritually or emotionally, pause and check your “thankfulness
gauge.” If the reading is low, ask Me to help you increase your level of gratefulness. Search
for reasons to thank Me; jot them down if you like. Your perspective will gradually shift from
focusing on all that is wrong to rejoicing in things that are right.

No matter what is happening, you can be joyful in God your Savior. Because of My finished
work on the cross, you have a glorious future that is guaranteed forever! Rejoice in this
free gift of salvation—for you, for all who trust Me as Savior. Let your heart overflow with
thankfulness, and I will fill you with My Joy.
—Jesus Always, November 21

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so
worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. —Hebrews 12:28

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and
bless His name. —Psalm 100:4 NKJV

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. —1 Corinthians 13:6

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop
fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the
stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. — Habakkuk 3:17–18

Journaling prompt Whenever you’re struggling spiritually or emotionally, pause and check
your “thankfulness gauge.” Make a list of blessings you may have not considered previously.
 Day 5

Rejoice and be thankful! As you walk with Me through this day, practice trusting and thanking
Me all along the way. Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you. Thankful-
ness lifts you up above your circumstances.

I do My greatest works through people with grateful, trusting hearts. Rather than planning
and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually. This is a paradigm shift that will
revolutionize your life.
—Jesus Calling, March 22

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! —Philippians 4:4

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us
come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. —Psalm 95:1–2

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who
seek you. —Psalm 9:10

Journaling prompt Make it your goal to find Joy in the midst of your day. If you notice you’re
experiencing negative emotions, let that prod you into remembering Me; giving thanks for the
situation and how I will ultimately use it for your benefit.