How to Enter the Holiday Season with Gratitude and Peace
Friend, as the leaves turn and October draws to a close, I can’t help but think about how quickly the holidays are coming. Sometimes just the thought of everything ahead can stir up stress—but gratitude has a way of slowing us down and centering our hearts on what truly matters.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice it doesn’t say to give thanks only when everything feels easy. Gratitude is a choice, a posture of the heart, even in the middle of busy or difficult seasons.
When life feels overwhelming, it helps to look for the little gifts: the smell of coffee in the morning, a child’s laughter, a text from a friend who thought of you. These small moments become reminders of God’s goodness woven throughout our days.
Keeping a gratitude journal can be such a blessing. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just jotting down three things each day you’re thankful for. Over time, you’ll see how those small moments add up to a bigger picture of God’s faithfulness.
Here’s the beautiful thing: gratitude doesn’t change our circumstances, but it changes how we see them. Instead of focusing on what we lack or how much we have to do, gratitude teaches us to notice the blessings right in front of us. It helps us breathe deeper, slow down, and remember that God is with us, even in the busyness.
As you step into this new season, can I encourage you to pause each day and thank God for one small thing? It could be something ordinary or something extraordinary, but each word of thanks is like opening your heart wider to His peace.
Gratitude isn’t just a November practice. It’s a daily invitation to draw closer to Him. And the more we practice it now, the more prepared our hearts will be for the joy and generosity of the holidays ahead.
Let’s reflect:
What three small things can you thank God for today?
How can gratitude shift the way you enter this holiday season?
Remember:
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
Prayer:
Lord, help me see the little blessings in each day. Grow a spirit of gratitude in me that carries through the holiday season and beyond. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
As we close out this month together, I hope you’ve felt the gentle reminder that you don’t have to enter the holiday season hurried or heavy. By preparing your heart early, simplifying your schedule, opening your home with grace, and choosing daily gratitude, you’re making space for God’s peace to flow through every part of your life. Friend, you don’t need a perfect holiday. You just need a prepared heart, a willing spirit, and eyes open to the little gifts God places along the way. Let’s carry these rhythms with us into November and beyond, walking into the season with more peace, more presence, and more soul.
SAVE ON PINTEREST!
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Regina is a writer, former homeschooling mom, and owner of a comfort food catering business. A contributor to several publications, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
