I have a confession that might surprise you:

I don’t like ice cream.

Maybe “don’t like” is too strong. Let’s just say I’m not a fan. I can take a few bites, and that’s plenty. What’s worse, I’ll stick the half-eaten cup in the freezer door, spoon still inside, and leave it there for who knows how long. This drives my family crazy. Since it’s technically mine, no one else can touch it. So there it sits, teasing everyone while I remain completely indifferent.

Ice cream is optional for me, and sadly, that’s how many of us approach thankfulness. We know we should be grateful, but it often becomes an afterthought. We let it sit on the shelf of our lives, ignored and gathering dust.

But thankfulness shouldn’t be something we take or leave, like ice cream. It should be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. That’s why the Psalms are so helpful, particularly Psalm 107, which offers powerful reminders of why we should be thankful, even when we don’t feel like it. And the very first reason is simple yet profound: God is good.

The Foundation of Thankfulness: God’s Goodness

The psalmist doesn’t start with what God has done for us or the blessings we’ve received. He starts with God’s character:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

Thankfulness begins with acknowledging who God is. God is good—not just in the things He gives us, but in His very nature. He has always been good, long before we even realized we needed Him to be. His goodness is unchanging and eternal.

This goodness is what covers our sin and makes us benefactors of His grace, no matter how many times we mess up. Our failures can’t diminish His goodness. His love endures forever, and His goodness is the foundation for everything He does in our lives.

Recognizing God’s Goodness in Everyday Life

Sometimes, it’s easy to take God’s goodness for granted. We get caught up in the demands of life or the challenges we face, and we forget to pause and recognize the ways God is actively displaying His goodness in our lives.

So, how can we move beyond indifference and cultivate a heart of gratitude?

Start by looking for God’s goodness in your everyday life. It’s always there, even in the small, seemingly insignificant moments. Maybe it’s a moment of peace in a busy day, an unexpected kind word from a friend, or the beauty of a sunrise that reminds you of God’s faithfulness.

The more we look for God’s goodness, the more we’ll see it—and the more thankful we’ll become.

Here’s a challenge for you: For the next seven days, take out a journal and write down one way you see God’s goodness each day. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering; just something that reminds you of His love and care for you. As you do this, you’ll find your heart awakening to gratitude, and your relationship with God growing deeper.

God’s Goodness Is Enough

We don’t have to wait for life to be perfect or for everything to fall into place before we can be thankful. God’s goodness is enough. He is good because it is His nature, and that goodness is the foundation of our gratitude.

So, the next time you’re tempted to leave thankfulness on the shelf, remember that it’s not about how you feel or what’s going on in your life at the moment. It’s about who God is. He is good, and that alone is reason enough to give thanks.

For His glory,

Cheri Strange, PhD.
Author, Speaker, and Founder of The Stirring Faith Co.