Visual Journal Prompt: Gratitude
Rays or Sun
Gratitude often focuses on the brightness of our circumstances, but what if it’s meant to be rooted in the Creator, not just the moments themselves?
The rays of light are real, but they aren’t the source, Christ is. True gratitude comes not from what we see around us, but from who created it all, remaining constant and faithful, even when the light feels dim.
What if we weren’t meant to only focus on the rays, but instead to look up and fix our face on the sun?
Enjoy the Gratitude Journal PDF
Chasing the Sun
So often, we chase the feeling of gratitude, searching for the next big blessing or unmistakable sign that God is good. We measure thankfulness by how bright life feels. But what if gratitude isn’t about the brightness of our circumstances?
The rays are real, they warm us and guide us, but they are not the source. Christ is. Gratitude goes beyond what we see around us, pointing us to the One who created it all, unchanging, faithful, and present, even when the rays are hidden behind clouds.
Even in dark moments, we can be thankful, not for just the moment itself, but for the unshakable truth that Christ, our Source, is always with us. True gratitude looks beyond the rays to the Creator who remains constant through it all.
The joy that holds me now is not the absence of sorrow or struggle, it is the unshakable certainty that I am known, loved, and rescued by Jesus.
Scripture
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
Philippians 4:4-5 (ESV)
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalm 94:19 (ESV)
“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 (ESV)
Quote
“Gratitude to God is not just a feeling of appreciation for something He gives; it is a reflection of the heart that sees His hand in everything, knowing that the Creator is always the ultimate cause behind each moment of blessing.”-John Piper
Stories
Job, Habakkuk, Hannah
Humanity
Many studies show that those who consistently practice gratitude, whether through journaling, prayer, or simply pausing to reflect on the blessings in their life, experience greater joy and emotional well-being.
Enjoy the Gratitude Journal PDF Below
Journal Prompts
When was the last time you felt grateful? Did you focus on the blessing itself? How does seeing God as the Creator shape your understanding of that moment?
Whether you're a believer or not, life will still have its hardships. In those times, have you ever considered what it might look like to find gratitude even in the midst of difficulty? What might it look like to recognize that God is still there, even when the sun is hidden behind the clouds?
When things don’t go as planned, how can you still find reasons to be thankful? What if God, as the Creator, is present even when things aren’t going well?
Reflect on moments in your life that brought warmth or light, whether joy, peace, or clarity. What if those moments point you to a greater Source? How could recognizing a Creator change the way you see those blessings?
Let your journaling today be a quiet shift away from focusing on the rays, and a bold turning toward the Sun, the true Source of all gratitude.