Trading a Critical Spirit for a Grateful Heart
Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 02 September 2025
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
It’s easy to see what’s wrong. A slow queue at the shop, a friend who didn’t return a call, the one thing that went wrong in an otherwise good day—it all stands out, doesn’t it? If we’re not careful, a habit of noticing faults can grow into a critical spirit, and before long, we find ourselves focusing more on what’s missing than on what’s present.
I’ve had moments where I caught myself grumbling more than giving thanks. It can happen so subtly. We start with a small complaint, but if we feed it, it begins to colour how we see life. Soon, we miss the joy of what God is doing because we’re too busy pointing out what He hasn’t done yet.
But God’s Word gives us a different way: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” That doesn’t mean we have to pretend everything is perfect. It means we choose to look for God’s goodness even when life is far from easy. Gratitude doesn’t ignore reality, but it refuses to let negativity be the loudest voice.
I remember speaking to someone in our church who was going through a tough season. They said something that stayed with me: “I decided to find one thing to thank God for every morning. It didn’t fix my problems overnight, but it changed how I saw them.” That’s the power of gratitude—it shifts our focus from what’s wrong to the God who is always right here with us.
When we trade a critical spirit for a grateful heart, our relationships change too. We become encouragers instead of complainers. We speak life instead of pointing out flaws. And perhaps most importantly, we begin to notice God’s blessings that were there all along.
Friend, maybe today is the day to start that trade. Let’s ask God to pull out any root of criticism and plant a deep, lasting gratitude in our hearts. When we do, we’ll find our joy growing, our peace deepening, and our eyes opening to His goodness in every season.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, thank You for every blessing You’ve placed in my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve focused more on what’s wrong than on what’s right. Teach me to live with a grateful heart and to see Your goodness even in difficult seasons. Amen.