Gratitude: The Game Changer
8/9/2026 5:00:00 PM | Spiritual Formation
Written by: Donovan Ross
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
When I think about my time as a student-athlete at Lipscomb, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. The early mornings, the late nights, hanging out with my friends and teammates, the papers and exams, the setbacks, and the victories. Every single moment shaped me. However, I didn't always see it that way at the time. Some days, I was too caught up in what I didn't have, what wasn't going my way, or what I thought I deserved.
Gratitude changes everything.
It's easy to be grateful when things are going well. When you're winning. When your body feels good. When your relationships are solid. The real challenge is finding gratitude when you're struggling. When you're battling injuries, facing doubts, or feeling like you're falling short. That is when gratitude matters most because it shifts your focus from what is missing to what is already in front of you.
One of the hardest seasons of my life came while I was in college. At the time, I thought I'd never get out of it, and there was no hope for the situation. I felt stuck, like nothing I did was making a difference, and I didn't understand why things weren't going the way I had planned. But instead of staying frustrated, I made the decision to change my perspective and give God thanks. I didn't feel like it at first, but I started thanking Him anyway—for the lessons, the people He placed in my life, and even the struggles that I didn't understand yet. Slowly, everything started to shift. My situation didn't change overnight, but my heart did. Looking back, I can see how that season shaped me, strengthened my faith, and prepared me for what was ahead.
Gratitude doesn't always change your situation, but it changes how you see it. It reminds you that even in the struggle, God is still working. Even when things don't go as planned, He is still in control. And when you start to look at life through that lens, everything shifts.
The more I focus on gratitude, the more I see God's hand in every part of my life. The friendships, the opportunities, the closed doors that led to better ones, the setbacks that made me stronger. It's all connected. And when I choose to be grateful, I realize how much I have already been given.
So here's my challenge to you: Start practicing gratitude now, even in the difficult moments. Don't wait until hindsight makes everything clear. Choose to thank God for the opportunities, the struggles, the teammates, and the journey. Gratitude won't always change your circumstances, but it will change your perspective. And that might just be the game-changer you need.
Questions to Think About
1. What is something difficult in your life right now that you can thank God for?
2. How does gratitude shift your perspective in challenging situations?
3. Who in your life has impacted you in a way that you're grateful for, and how can you express that to them today?
If there is one thing I can encourage you with, it's this: Gratitude isn't about your circumstances; it's about your perspective. Choose to give thanks in all things.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
When I think about my time as a student-athlete at Lipscomb, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. The early mornings, the late nights, hanging out with my friends and teammates, the papers and exams, the setbacks, and the victories. Every single moment shaped me. However, I didn't always see it that way at the time. Some days, I was too caught up in what I didn't have, what wasn't going my way, or what I thought I deserved.
Gratitude changes everything.
It's easy to be grateful when things are going well. When you're winning. When your body feels good. When your relationships are solid. The real challenge is finding gratitude when you're struggling. When you're battling injuries, facing doubts, or feeling like you're falling short. That is when gratitude matters most because it shifts your focus from what is missing to what is already in front of you.
One of the hardest seasons of my life came while I was in college. At the time, I thought I'd never get out of it, and there was no hope for the situation. I felt stuck, like nothing I did was making a difference, and I didn't understand why things weren't going the way I had planned. But instead of staying frustrated, I made the decision to change my perspective and give God thanks. I didn't feel like it at first, but I started thanking Him anyway—for the lessons, the people He placed in my life, and even the struggles that I didn't understand yet. Slowly, everything started to shift. My situation didn't change overnight, but my heart did. Looking back, I can see how that season shaped me, strengthened my faith, and prepared me for what was ahead.
Gratitude doesn't always change your situation, but it changes how you see it. It reminds you that even in the struggle, God is still working. Even when things don't go as planned, He is still in control. And when you start to look at life through that lens, everything shifts.
The more I focus on gratitude, the more I see God's hand in every part of my life. The friendships, the opportunities, the closed doors that led to better ones, the setbacks that made me stronger. It's all connected. And when I choose to be grateful, I realize how much I have already been given.
So here's my challenge to you: Start practicing gratitude now, even in the difficult moments. Don't wait until hindsight makes everything clear. Choose to thank God for the opportunities, the struggles, the teammates, and the journey. Gratitude won't always change your circumstances, but it will change your perspective. And that might just be the game-changer you need.
Questions to Think About
1. What is something difficult in your life right now that you can thank God for?
2. How does gratitude shift your perspective in challenging situations?
3. Who in your life has impacted you in a way that you're grateful for, and how can you express that to them today?
If there is one thing I can encourage you with, it's this: Gratitude isn't about your circumstances; it's about your perspective. Choose to give thanks in all things.
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