Something I don’t like to admit in public, I’m not naturally thankful. (Yup, I said it. It took almost my whole life to realize and admit it.)

But, I also realized that most humans aren’t exactly born thankful, either. Thank goodness I have honest friends.

We’re born into this world wired for “me first.” (Ever try taking a cookie from a two-year-old? Or… even a forty-two-year-old?)

But sometimes… life just feels so UNFAIR!

• Starbucks ran out of Pumpkin Spice… and then spelled my name wrong!
• My Amazon package hasn’t even shipped yet, and it’s been over 4 hours!
• Uber Eats forgot my extra Chick-fil-A sauce… again!
• My dinner got cold while I was trying to post a pic of it on Instagram!
• And then, the Wi-Fi totally dropped… right in the middle of my Netflix binge!

(Lord, help me not lose my salvation!) 🙂

Sounds funny in a blog. But the truth is, we all know those aren’t REAL problems. But they do still get us ticked off.

We’ve gotten so used to comfort that we forget how blessed we really are!

TRUE gratitude begins when we realize how spoiled by grace we’ve been. In America, we’re surrounded by blessings so constant, we barely notice them anymore.

I’ll never forget the trip David, Ashtyn, and I took to Cuba a few years ago. We were there to preach the Gospel and hand out free “Hi God” books, simple, powerful words of hope. 

As we drove down the street, we noticed a massive line outside a tiny store that wrapped all the way around the block!

I thought, maybe they’re selling concert tickets? Or the latest iPhone? So I asked the driver what everyone was waiting for. 

He looked at me and said, “Oh, they heard there’s CHICKEN today.” That hit me. Hard.

There we were, surrounded by people celebrating because they might, MIGHT… get some chicken that day. That moment reframed everything for me!

It reminded me that PURPOSE starts with PERSPECTIVE.

When you finally realize how blessed you are, you stop chasing “more” and start using what you already have to make a difference.

Every breath is a GIFT, and every day is another chance to walk in our God-given purpose.

So today, instead of starting with complaints… start with THANKS:

• Thank You, God, for the air in my lungs!
• Thank You, God, for the roof over my head!
• Thank You, God, that no matter what happens around me, You’ve got me in the palm of Your hand!.

Become intentionally grateful.

If you wanna feel better, cultivate thankfulness. We can’t be grateful and hateful at the same time.

Don’t let the enemy bait you into drama and distraction. He loves to stir up chaos, to pull your focus off your blessings, and spotlight the one thing we’re missing.

Complaining slams the door on God’s favor. But a thankful heart swings it wide open! Because gratitude doesn’t just change your attitude. It realigns you with your PURPOSE.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is 

God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) 

As you set your goals for this next season, take a close look at your words. Are you speaking gratitude… or grumbling?

God’s trying to get to you. So don’t block your own breakthrough. Because the words you say today are either building a wall or paving the way for BLESSINGS.

Choose gratitude. Choose purpose.

And watch how God multiplies the blessings already in your hands!

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Lately, God has been speaking to my heart a lot about PURPOSE. If you’re ready to move forward in 2026… I have some fresh revelation to share with you.

So… be thinking and praying about your God-given purpose. And be anxiously expecting new insight and clarity that He will reveal to us. 

More to come soon. I’ll keep you posted!

Nicole