Gratitude The Gateway to Wholeness

There are moments when God gives you a revelation that is not meant to stay with you. Revelation is meant to be shared. This is one of those moments.

Yesterday was a specific date on the calendar that once brought joy. Over time, because of life experiences, that same day slowly became heavy. When I woke up, my thoughts drifted toward reflection, regret, and what could have been. I immediately recognized that those thoughts were not from God, and I knew I had to pivot.

One thing I have learned about myself is that when a particular date or season carries emotional weight, I intentionally work to change the memories attached to it. I do this by creating new associations so my mind no longer connects the day with pain, but with purpose. I did this with my birthday. For years I did not celebrate myself. Over time, I learned how to do it for me. I rewired my thinking, and now I look forward to that day with joy.

So when those thoughts surfaced, I shared them with my mom. She encouraged me spiritually and practically. Spiritually, she reminded me to release the thoughts and not let them linger. Practically, she suggested something that made me smile. She said every time those thoughts return, pay yourself. Put money aside so that by the end of the year you can physically see that those memories cost you something. Wisdom has a way of being both spiritual and tangible.

I originally planned to go out and do something fun to reprogram the day, but instead, while working, I felt led to listen to a podcast. Not music. I needed something that would feed my mind.

I turned on In The Deep End by Taylor Welch, and ironically, the episode was about the mind.

He explained how the mind is one of the most powerful forces in existence because it governs behavior, emotions, and outcomes. He spoke about gratitude and how it interrupts negative thought cycles. As someone with a biology background, what resonated deeply was the explanation of the neurochemistry behind memory and pain. It confirmed what Scripture has always told us, but with scientific clarity.

Scripture says, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he Proverbs 23:7.
We frame the world with our thoughts before we ever speak words.

I remembered how my pastor once said, look around at your world. It is a reflection of the words you speak. I also remembered the truth that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds Romans 12:2.

That is when the Lord impressed on me that I did not need to do anything externally to change the day. All I needed was gratitude.

I looked at the date differently. I saw it as a gateway. A gateway for relationships formed, friendships built, lessons learned, doors opened, and the woman I have become. If not for that day and that moment, I would not be who I am today.

Yes, there were difficult moments. But there were also beautiful ones. And God reminded me that His hand was always there.

Gratitude flooded my heart.

Then at 2:30 that morning, the Lord woke me up and reminded me of a word spoken by Bishop Neil Ellis in September. He declared that we should expect the unusual, the uncommon, the unpredictable, and the unprecedented before the end of the year.

In October, he added to that declaration, saying we are a great people with great power and open doors.

As I looked back from September to now, I could clearly see God honoring His word. Doors opened that I never imagined. Opportunities appeared that I could not have orchestrated. Expansion happened beyond my expectations.

I began to thank God for everything. For health and strength. For clarity of mind. For deliverance. Even for trials. I thanked Him that He trusted me enough to walk through certain seasons, knowing I could handle them.

Later that morning, during my walk, I listened to the four AM prayer from New Life Covenant Church led by John Hannah, who I jokingly call my pastor even though I do not attend his church. Once again, the focus was gratitude.

The Scripture reference was the story of the ten lepers. Ten were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. That one was made whole Luke 17:11-19.

That revelation stayed with me.

Healing is one thing.
Wholeness is another.

Wholeness is found in gratitude.

Scripture tells us to give thanks in all things 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Praise should continually be in our mouths Psalm 34:1. Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever Psalm 107:1.

As we approach the end of the year, I am thankful. Thankful that I finally listened to God and started this blog, something He placed in my heart back in 2017. Writing has changed how I see God, how I talk to Him, and how I trust that He hears me.

I am thankful for lessons learned. For spiritual growth. For healing. For wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

My prayer is that we do not reserve gratitude for holidays or seasons, but that we carry it into every day, into 2026 and beyond. That we start our days with thank You, and end our days with thank You.

God has done great and mighty things, and He continues to do them. Even when things feel difficult, we can give thanks knowing that all things work together for good for those who love Him Romans 8:28.

Weapons may form, but they will not prosper, Isaiah 54:17. Favor surrounds us. Grace sustains us. Mercy covers us.

So today, I say thank You, Lord.
For Your love.
For Your faithfulness.
For Your goodness.

You deserve the glory, the honor, the praise, and the thanks.

Thank You Lord.

Amen.