When Life Feels Upside Down: How to Practice Gratitude During Detours
Gratitude sounds lovely until you’re asked to practice it when life feels upside down. For me, that upside down came in the shape of a tiny, three-week-old baby girl. Overnight, I went from a mom with nearly grown kids to a guardian of my granddaughter. My days were filled with late-night feedings, mountains of bottles, court hearings, and trying to figure out what on earth God was doing in the middle of this detour.
Gratitude Doesn’t Come Easily When Life Feels Upside Down
I’ll be honest — gratitude was not the first word that came to mind when I was running on two hours of sleep. Or when I had to push pause on dreams I had just started to chase again. Yet, right there in the middle of exhaustion and uncertainty, gratitude kept showing up in the smallest ways. I remember one morning, coffee in hand, watching my granddaughter’s chest rise and fall as she finally slept. I realized my tears were no longer only about loss, but about love. The gratitude wasn’t loud or Instagram-worthy. It was quiet. Subtle. A whispered, “Thank You, God, for breath. For this little life. For the reminder that even detours can hold holy purpose.”
What Happens When You Practice Gratitude Anyway
Gratitude has a way of reshaping our vision. It doesn’t erase the hard things, but it gives us new eyes to see the gifts hidden among them. It turns courtrooms into places where I see God’s faithfulness in provision. It turns sleepless nights into opportunities to pray over a baby who deserves covering. It turns interrupted dreams into invitations to discover a purpose I hadn’t planned but God had already written. As Philippians 4:6 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Gratitude reminds me that even when life feels out of control, I can lean on the One who holds every detail.
Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice he didn’t say to be thankful for every circumstance, but in them. That tiny word in changes everything. Gratitude in the middle of brokenness isn’t denial—it’s defiance against despair. One of the lessons I’ve learned is that gratitude is rarely about one big, sweeping moment. It’s built brick by brick in the ordinary. A kind word from a friend. The smell of baby shampoo. A sunrise that splashes pink and gold across the sky as if God is reminding me, “I haven’t forgotten you.”
Gratitude Is Worth the Wrestle
Some days I still wrestle. Some days gratitude feels like a practice rather than a posture. But I’ve discovered that when I name even one thing to be thankful for, my heart softens. My clenched fists loosen. Hope takes root again. Maybe you’re in a season where gratitude feels forced or far away. I get it. But can I invite you to start small? Write down one thing. Whisper one thanks. Notice one moment of beauty, however ordinary it may seem. Gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain; it’s about anchoring ourselves in God’s goodness that runs deeper than the pain.
And sometimes — most times — gratitude is simply this: “God, thank You that You are still here with me.” Because at the end of the day, gratitude is not just about what I hold in my hands but Who holds me.
Meet Debbie Oliver
Debbie Oliver is an author, blogger, and Bible study leader passionate about encouraging women in their faith. With degrees in Psychology and Business Management, Debbie works in publishing and digital marketing while also volunteering as a writer, editor, and social media scheduler for various ministries.
A wife and mother of six, she lives in Colorado, where she is raising her grandbaby and enjoying a front-window view of the majestic Rocky Mountains. She finds joy in coffee, Pioneer Woman treasures, and winter days. Her mission? To lead, teach, and inspire women to grow deeper in their walk with Christ.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
