When Gratitude Feels Hard
By: Jessica Faith Graham
Published December 1, 2025
There have been different times in my life when gratitude didn’t come easily. Stress was high, and I couldn’t see all my silver linings. Being asked to create a gratitude list or journal felt forced. I knew deep down that even during stressful times, there would still be many things to be thankful for, but my journal’s blank pages sat untouched.
It was during a time of great stress in my life—my divorce—when I realized how easily giving thanks flowed during my nightly prayers.
I have prayed before falling asleep since I was a young child. Of course, during those times of stress, I was asking God to help me carry the hardships. But toward the end of those conversations with God, I would always get to all the things I was thankful for.
I could thank God for my children, my parents, my family, and my friends. These gratitude lists to God have been a part of my nightly routine for so long, I didn’t even realize I was doing it.
That’s when I realized, when gratitude felt hard…
What I could do was pray.
November is National Gratitude Month. A beautiful reminder to pause and reflect on what we’re thankful for. Practicing gratitude isn’t just a feel-good habit—it’s been shown to support emotional well-being, strengthen our relationships, build resilience, and even improve physical health by boosting the immune system, improving sleep, and lowering blood pressure.
A few simple ways to begin:
Keep a gratitude journal
Spend a few minutes meditating on what’s going well
Send a thank you note (the real ones in the mail).
And if this season feels heavy or you’re walking through a difficult transition, try loosening the grip. Hand it over to God (or the universe). Give thanks for what’s steady, present, and true in your life.
Thank you for being here and for your support. I’m so grateful to walk this journey with you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Please feel free to share your comments below.
