Growing in Gratitude for Gifts from Above
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17, NIV
A recent solar storm made it possible to see the northern lights in locations much farther south than where they usually appear. My husband and I were visiting Pennsylvania and had just stepped out of a countryside restaurant after dinner when the sight of the northern lights dazzled us. Huge bands of red, pink, and green shimmered brightly in the sky. Transfixed, we stood in the cold parking lot watching the colors dance for a while. Then we walked over to a nearby lake where we had an open view of the sky. We barely noticed the cold as we watched the colorful display. Soon, a shooting star streaked across the northern lights. We were overcome with awe, and we thanked God – the Father of the heavenly lights – for the opportunity to see it all.
James 1:17 beautifully reminds us that “every good and perfect gift” in our lives has its origin in heaven, sent down by our generous Heavenly Father. The gifts we receive are not random or accidental. They come from our awesome God, who is both majestically powerful and lovingly close. God, the Father of the heavenly lights, created all the stars and planets yet cares deeply about the smallest details of our lives.
Often, we’re quick to acknowledge God’s gifts when they come in dramatic ways. A miraculous healing or a job promotion are easy for us to recognize as blessings from God. However, the challenge is to recognize that every good and perfect gift – either big or small – comes from God. The simple joy of a morning sunrise, the laughter of a child, the embrace of a loved one, and the peace that settles over us during prayer are all gifts from above, even though they’re not as dramatic as seeing the northern lights or a shooting star.
In the busyness of life, we might overlook these seemingly ordinary blessings. Yet, James 1:17 urges us to slow down and remember that even the smallest good gifts are evidence of God’s love and care. Even in difficult times, there is always something we can be thankful for. God sustains us in every season, and God’s goodness never runs out. Sometimes, it takes intentionally looking for these gifts to appreciate them, but we can find evidence of God’s provision whenever we look.
James 1:17 contrasts God with “shifting shadows” to emphasize God’s eternal nature. While the circumstances in our lives often change, God remains constant. The source of our good gifts – God – doesn’t change based on our actions, the world around us, or any other variable. We can always rely on God’s generous love. This unchanging nature of God is important when we think about gratitude. Often, when something goes wrong in our lives, we question God’s goodness. We may ask why God allowed that to happen. At those times, we need to remember that God’s character remains the same, even when our circumstances don’t. God’s purposes are higher than our understanding, and God’s timing is perfect. When we choose to be thankful for the good gifts from above, we align our hearts with the truth of who God is. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we already have in our relationships with God.
One of the beautiful aspects of gratitude is that it grows as we practice it. The more we intentionally recognize and give thanks for God’s blessings, the more aware we become of the wonder of God’s work in our lives. Gratitude reminds us that what we have is enough because God is enough. Every good and perfect gift points us back to the Giver – our loving and unchanging God, who provides for our needs at all times!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God is constantly sending down blessings for you, reflect on these questions:
- What are some of the “good and perfect” gifts in your life that you might have overlooked or taken for granted recently?
- How can you develop a deeper sense of gratitude for both the big and small blessings from God?
- When faced with challenging circumstances, how can you remind yourself of God’s unchanging goodness?
- How has the ultimate gift of your salvation through Jesus shaped your understanding of God’s generosity?
- In what ways can you express your gratitude to God in your daily life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 107:1
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Philippians 4:6
Colossians 3:17
Ephesians 1:3
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / kieferpix
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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