When You Start Thanking God for the Small Things, Everything Changes

Why I’m Choosing to Thank God for Everything—Even in Private

Most days, I wake up, grab coffee, check my phone, and dive right into the whirlwind. And most days… I forget to pause. I forget that simply waking up is a gift. That breathing without struggle is grace. That electricity, clean water, and a roof over my head aren’t guaranteed.

And yet, God keeps showing up. He keeps giving.

I started feeling convicted about how much I enjoy His blessings without acknowledging His hand in them. So this article? It’s my way of saying out loud—thank You, Lord, for everything You’re doing, even when no one else sees it.

This is more than just “being grateful.” It’s choosing to worship God for the unseen, unnoticed, and often unappreciated work He’s doing behind the scenes.

I recently wrote about how we can find peace when we fully surrender control in Let Go and Let God: He Can When You Can’t. Gratitude and surrender go hand in hand. The more I recognize what He’s doing, the less I feel the need to run the show myself.

7 Daily Blessings From God I Used to Take for Granted

We don’t need miracles falling from the sky to praise Him. The small stuff is where His faithfulness is often most visible. Here’s what I now try to thank God for every day:

1. Waking Up
Not everyone does. If you’re reading this, it means you’ve been given one more sunrise—and one more chance to draw closer to Him.

2. Breath in My Lungs
Every breath is powered by Him. Job 33:4 says, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

3. Clean Water and Food
There are places in the world where people walk miles just for water. I used to rush through meals without thinking. Now, I pause. And I thank Him.

4. Transportation
Whether it’s a reliable car or just the ability to walk—I’ve stopped taking movement for granted.

5. The Internet
Sounds funny, but it’s true. I can access Scripture, sermons, and faith-based blogs like this one with a few clicks. That’s a privilege.

6. People Who Pray for Me
Even when I don’t see it, I know someone’s lifting my name to God. Maybe a friend, maybe a stranger.

7. Peace in My Spirit
Even on the worst days, there’s this calm that tells me God is near. It’s not always loud, but it’s there. That’s the Holy Spirit doing His work.

In 15 Bible Verses About Staying Strong Through Hard Times, I shared some of the verses that remind me God’s presence is always working—even in the quiet.

What the Bible Says About Thanking God in All Things

The Bible doesn’t just encourage thankfulness—it commands it. And not just when things are good.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

That verse used to challenge me. How do I thank God during heartbreak? Or sickness? Or loss?
But over time, I’ve realized it’s not about being thankful for pain—it’s about being thankful that God is present in it.That He’s working, even when I don’t understand.

Philippians 4:6 is another one that anchors me:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Gratitude is tied to peace. When I stop and thank God—even when life’s a mess—I feel my soul settle.

If you’ve ever needed that kind of peace, I shared what helped me in How to Pray According to the Bible and Actually Feel Closer to God. Sometimes the most powerful prayers start with “Thank You.”

Why I Want to Publicly Thank God for What He Does in Private

There are so many things God does for me that no one sees.
He calms my heart at night.
He opens doors I didn’t even know needed opening.
He protects me from things I didn’t even know were dangerous.

I used to think gratitude had to be a quiet, internal thing. And while personal worship is important, there’s something powerful about publicly declaring God’s goodness—even if it’s for blessings that others would overlook.

In Jesus Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe, I reflected on how Jesus didn’t just save us publicly on the cross—He also intercedes for us quietly, daily, behind the scenes.

That’s why I write. That’s why I post. That’s why I thank Him out loud.
Because He deserves more praise than I give.

The Assurance of Faith: Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Savior

Gratitude Is a Weapon in Hard Times

Thankfulness doesn’t erase pain, but it gives me perspective in it. When I start naming what I’m grateful for—even in chaos—I’m reminded that God hasn’t left me. Gratitude pulls my eyes off the storm and onto the One who calms it.

Psalm 34:1 says,
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Not just when things go right. Not just when prayers are answered fast. At all times.

In 7 Bible Verses for When You Feel Far from God, I shared verses that helped me cling to gratitude even when God feltdistant. Gratitude isn’t based on feelings—it’s a choice to trust that He’s good, even in silence.

The More I Thank Him, the More I See Him

This part is real for me. The more I’ve trained myself to say “Thank You” throughout the day—out loud, under my breath, or in a journal—the more I recognize just how present God really is.

A moment of peace during a hectic day?
A smile from someone that lifts my spirit?
A random Bible verse that pops up exactly when I need it?

He’s in all of it.

And honestly, writing Let Go and Let God: He Can When You Can’t helped me realize how often God works behind the scenes—lining things up, holding things together, covering things I never even asked for.

Thanking Him is no longer just part of my prayers. It’s how I walk through the day.

Gratitude Opens the Door to Deeper Faith

When I started thanking God more—for the little things, the quiet things, the unseen things—my faith deepened. I didn’t need a breakthrough or a sign. I just needed to open my eyes.

Every answered prayer, every breath, every unexpected moment of peace… that’s God.
He’s not just working when there’s a miracle. He’s working in the ordinary, in the background, where no one else is watching.

That’s why I’ll keep thanking Him—publicly—for everything He’s doing privately.

What Gratitude Teaches Me About God’s Character

The more I thank God, the more I learn about who He really is. Not just as a powerful Creator, but as a loving Father who’s involved in the details.

When I thank Him for the small stuff—warm showers, quiet mornings, a friend’s encouraging text—I begin to notice how intimately personal His love is. He doesn’t just care about the big-picture moments. He’s in the everyday stuff too.

Even Jesus pointed this out in Matthew 6:26:
“Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
That verse still stops me in my tracks. If He takes care of the birds, how much more is He doing for me—things I may never even realize?

If you’re trying to reconnect with God’s character through real-life experiences, you’ll love Why Didn’t People Recognize Jesus After the Resurrection?. That story reminds us He’s always near, even if we don’t see Him right away.

Gratitude Reminds Me This Life Isn’t About Me

When I’m stuck in my own head—worrying about bills, comparing myself to others online, stressing over tomorrow—gratitude pulls me back to truth. It reminds me that this life isn’t about what I achieve, own, or fix. It’s about what God is doing in and through me.

Saying “thank You, Lord” shifts my mindset from me-focused to God-focused.

It makes room for humility.
It softens my pride.
It silences the lies that say “you’re not enough.”

When I remember that God is the one who gave me everything I have—every skill, opportunity, and second chance—I don’t walk through life trying to prove anything. I just walk with Him.

I shared more about that mindset in Christian Teachings on Forgiveness That’ll Change Your Heart. Forgiveness, like gratitude, starts with humility—and humility grows every time we give God the glory He deserves.

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