Earlier this year, I was struggling, feeling run down and quick to lose my temper. So, I began starting each day with intentional gratitude. Not just listing things I was grateful for, but truly leaning in and feeling that gratitude in my heart. I’d spend a few moments in bed each morning, thankful for the blessings in my life and the opportunity that came with a new day.
That small step significantly improved how I approached each day. I became more patient and present. I responded to situations with more grace. I gained a new perspective on the circumstances that had been wearing me down. I even realized that some of my stress stemmed from placing unnecessary expectations on myself.
For example, during the school year, we had to get my son on the bus each morning for the first time. Previously, I’d drive him to school, and he’d only take the bus home. But this year, we anticipated that taking the bus to school would sometimes be necessary, so we made the switch. The bus came very early, and getting him up, dressed, fed, and ready often felt like a battle. Every step was a struggle, and I usually ended up nagging and yelling (not the way I wanted either of us to start the day).
That stress and anxiety hit first thing in the morning. But when I slowed down and reflected, I realized the pressure was self-imposed. I didn’t have to put him on the bus. Most days, I could drive him to school, giving us an extra 30 minutes to get out the door. That time made a big difference. Sure, there were still reminders and a little nagging, but it was far less intense. We still aimed for the bus each morning, but just knowing we had the option to drive in on tough days made all the difference, mostly for me.
A few months passed with this new perspective, and then summer arrived, bringing chaos with it. Between family trips, BBQs, and ever-changing schedules, I let my morning gratitude practice slip. It wasn’t intentional, but I stopped making space to be still and thankful in the mornings. At first, I seemed okay. I was still trying to be patient and present. But slowly, that familiar weight crept back in. The tension returned to my mind, the heaviness settled in my heart, and my fuse started to get short again. It wasn’t until I intentionally returned to my gratitude practice that I realized what I’d been missing. So, I dove back in. I picked up my Bible and started reading devotions and verses about thankfulness. One line struck me deeply: A grateful heart and an anxious heart cannot coexist. And suddenly, everything made sense.
When I start my day with gratitude, when I pause and really feel thankful, it shifts something inside me. My heart softens. My mind slows down. The things that usually feel like pressure points become more manageable. My capacity to respond with grace expands. I’ve started noticing the things I’m grateful for again, not just the big, obvious blessings like my family’s health, the roof over our heads, or my life and salvation, but the small, easily missed gifts too. Coffee. Sunshine. Air conditioning. An encouraging message from a friend. A freshly mowed yard. A warm hug from my kiddos. These small things add up quickly when you’re paying attention. And with each moment of gratitude, my heart feels a little lighter. The anxiety, worry, and stress begin to fade, because there’s simply no room for both to occupy the same space. Gratitude doesn’t erase stress or fix the problems. But it absolutely changes how I face them. It equips me with perspective, peace, and patience, things I don’t have on my own. It helps me see things clearly.
So, this is me starting again, choosing, day by day, to fill my heart with gratitude so there’s less room for worry. Trusting that even the smallest moment of thankfulness can shift the tone for the entire day. If your heart has felt heavy lately, maybe gratitude is the soft, gentle reset you need too. Start small. Really feel it. And you might be surprised at how much lighter the load becomes. I’d love to hear from you. What small (or big) things are you grateful for?