12 Nov - Gratitude in Advance - Pt 2: Gratitude Series

There’s something powerful about saying thank You before the answer shows up.

When Sara Blakely - the founder of Spanx was building her company, everything was uncertain. She’s spoken about how she kept a gratitude journal through those tough years, not only writing down what she already had but what she was believing for.

That’s the power of gratitude in advance.It trains your heart and mind to expect good things, even when life doesn’t look good yet. It’s faith with wheels on it - in action.

Psychologist Robert Emmons found that people who keep a gratitude journal for just three weeks experience 25% more happiness, better sleep, lower stress, and stronger immune systems.

Gratitude doesn’t just make you feel better, it literally rewires your brain for success.

It helps you see better. And when you see better - you live better.

🌱 When You Thank God Before You See It

I remember journaling one morning when things weren’t lining up the way I hoped. I felt like the doors I’d been praying for were still closed. But instead of spiralling into “why not yet?”, I felt Jesus whisper, “Thank Me like it’s already done.”

So I wrote:

Something shifted. I didn’t suddenly have the answer in front of me, but I had peace and a renewed confidence, and that changed how I went about my day. Gratitude in advance reminded me that God was already moving behind the scenes and everything was going to work out for my good.

Gratitude isn’t magic, but it does have the ability to turn fear into faith and loack into abundance.

It’s choosing to notice what’s working instead of what’s missing. What's good instead of what's bad.

Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything… but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

That “with thanksgiving” part is key. It’s how you show trust before you see it.

💭 Action Steps

1. Write five things you’re grateful for today - and one thing you’re believing for in advance.

2. Thank God for it now, before it happens.

3. Repeat daily for 30 days. Watch what shifts.

   
   

   Think & Say

“Gratitude attracts good. Thank you Lord in advance for what your'e already preparing.”

📖 Verse

“Do not be anxious about anything… but with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

🙏 Prayer

Lord, thank You for the blessings and the answers to my prayers that haven’t arrived yet, but that you already have in motion. Please help me stay grateful and expectant and teach me to thank You now, before I see the answer, because You’re always working everything out for my good. In Jesus' name Amen.