3 Ways Thankfulness Mobilizes Your Missional Life
The air grows crisp, the calendar turns, and the collective rush toward the holidays begins. In this season, the word “thankfulness” is everywhere, often reduced to a fleeting sentiment we reserve for a special meal. But for a person committed to missional living, thankfulness is not an annual emotion; it is a spiritual superpower. It is the posture that fundamentally shifts our focus from what is lacking to what we have been given, fueling our desire to serve and share. True gratitude, deeply rooted in faith, transforms our perspective on suffering and trauma, acting as an anchor that stabilizes us when the inevitable storms of life hit. Thankfulness is the very fuel that mobilizes our daily life, transforming duty into delight and worry into worship. This is not merely a suggestion for a better life, but a clear instruction from Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As we approach Giving Tuesday, one powerful way you can act on this gratitude is by hosting a Facebook Fundraiser for Mobilize Ministries right now: facebook.com/mobilizeministries.
1. Thankfulness Recalibrates Our Focus from Sadness and Trauma
Thankfulness is the immediate way out of the emotional quicksand of sadness, trauma, and depression because it shifts our focus from inward pain to outward provision. When we have faced deep suffering, it is easy to become consumed by the grief or the injustice of our experience. Yet, by deliberately practicing gratitude, we force our minds to acknowledge the abiding presence of God, even in the ruins of our pain. This practice doesn’t deny the reality of trauma but introduces a higher reality of God’s goodness. Scripture compels us to maintain this perspective: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It is in that act of thanksgiving, even when our circumstances are heartbreaking, that we remember God’s unwavering faithfulness. The Psalmist encouraged this discipline when he wrote: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song”(Psalm 28:7). By intentionally seeking evidence of grace, thankfulness breaks the isolating power of sorrow and reconnects us to the sustaining life of Christ.
2. Thankfulness Energizes Our Obedience and Service
A truly grateful heart transforms the motivation for our obedience from burdensome duty into joyful service.When we recognize the immensity of the gifts we’ve received—salvation, grace, and eternal life—our missional efforts flow naturally from that overflow, rather than from guilt or obligation. This changes our entire approach to mobilizing for ministry; we aren’t working for acceptance, but from it. Thankfulness is the constant reminder that we are simply conduits of the blessings we have freely received. Paul urged the believers in Rome, in light of God’s mercy, to offer their whole lives: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Furthermore, this gratitude-driven service makes our efforts credible and appealing to the world. A generous heart is a thankful heart, and as Jesus reminded us: “Whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). Our deep love, expressed through gratitude and service, is the most powerful witness to the depth of our forgiveness.
3. Thankfulness Creates an Atmosphere of Missional Peace
Thankfulness acts as a spiritual climate control, establishing a profound peace that stabilizes our lives and makes us available for others. Worry and anxiety are enemies of missional living because they consume the energy and focus we need to engage the world. By choosing gratitude, we align our minds with God’s provision, cutting through the noise and chaos of daily life. This is precisely the process described in Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). This peace is visible and attractive, acting as a quiet, powerful invitation to those around us who are seeking stability. When we are full of thankfulness, our spirit becomes a resting place, which allows us to approach ministry opportunities—whether planned or spontaneous—from a position of rest and confidence. It is this thankful spirit that allows us to fulfill the Great Commission: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
A quiet life, fueled by profound thankfulness, is the most powerful life you can live. It is active, confident, and deeply impactful right where God has planted you. Let thankfulness mobilize your heart and hands this season.
If you are inspired to join us in our mission to equip and empower believers to live out their faith, consider becoming a monthly partner. Your gift of any amount—$5, $50, or $100 a month—or an annual gift, will help us continue to create resources and mobilize others for ministry. As a thank-you, all new monthly partners will receive a complimentary autographed copy of my debut book, Weak Is The New Strong, and will receive a copy of my follow-up book, Mobilize Your Missional Life, upon its release in Fall 2026.
As we are approaching the end of the year, please remember that our annual fundraiser, which provides a large portion of our revenue, is currently underway. You can make a tax-deductible year-end donation that will count toward your 2025 taxes! This campaign starts on Giving Tuesday and ends on December 31st at midnight. You can give online at mobilizeministries.com/give or mail your donation to Mobilize Ministries / 1008 Linn Lane Yukon, OK 73099.
(All giving is tax deductible)
1008 Linn Lane
Yukon, OK 73099