Christian Meditation on Gratitude & Joy To Start the Day

We all want joy in our lives, but did you know that gratitude is linked to joy? When we practice gratitude and give thanks to God, we have more joy in our lives and in our relationship with Him. Both gratitude and joy are Biblical concepts that are beneficial gifts to the human race. When we meditate and practice these things, we can witness changes in our mentality, understanding of God, and our lives as a whole.

What does the Bible say about gratitude? In scripture, God commands His people to give thanks in all circumstances. Gratitude should be a way of life for Christians. The more gratitude that individuals have, the more joy they have as well. God also recognizes the struggles that humans face. We see in the book of Psalms the rawness and vulnerability of the writers. These individuals took their struggles to God and paired them with prayer, hopeful faith, and thanksgiving.

In this blog, I am providing the best scriptures to use for gratitude and joyful meditation. I am also listing some of the best-guided meditations for gratitude, joy, and even more.

Gratitude Meditation

The following Bible verses can be the basis for your meditation no matter the time of day. Yet the are especially uplifting in the morning. Many individuals report having more positive, and peaceful, days that are centered around God when they begin their morning with meditation.

You can either read the verses out loud or silently. You also have the opportunity to memorize and recite them or listen to an audio recording of them. Some individuals enjoy playing calming instrumental music in the background during their meditation.

There are also guided meditations that will lead you through these verses and other scripture. Some of these guided meditations focus on the content of the principles of the verses instead of the verses themselves.

Refer to “Steps for Christian Meditation (According to the Bible)” to receive a more in-depth description of how to meditate on scripture.

Bible Verses for Meditation

Psalm 50:23: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 107:1: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:16: “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Hebrews 12:28: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Colossians 3:15-16: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Joy Meditation

Likewise, these verses for meditation can be used in the same way as the verses about gratitude. There are also guided meditations that can be used for joy meditation. They can be found in audio, video, and text form.

Bible Verses for Meditation

Psalm 27:6: “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.”
Psalm 47:1: “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!”
Psalm 100:1-5: “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting. And His faithfulness to all generations.”
Proverbs 10:28: “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.”
Ecclesiastes 9:7: “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
James 1:2-3: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
1 Peter 1:8-9: “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Guided Meditation for Gratitude & Joy

Guided meditation is helpful because it shows us a new perspective. When we focus only on our own thoughts and resources, we can become stuck. When we open ourselves up to the wisdom and insight of others, we can gain new revelation about God and scripture.

Guided meditation also helps us look to God as our ultimate healer and source. By involving God in every area of our lives and thoughts, we can gain greater intimacy with Him. Scripture commands us to love the Lord our God with all our mind. Meditation can be one way to do this. Listed below are some of the best Christian guided meditation resources.

Abide

The Abide meditation app is ranked #1 for Christian meditation. I have personally used this app and have enjoyed it. It has helped me regain clarity and truth when my mind was in chaos due to the anxiety and lies of the world. I like to play this app as background sound when I am working on a project or am getting ready in the morning. I also enjoy using it intentionally with a specific focus of prayer.

There are numerous topics that can be chosen, including joy and gratitude. Additional features include a prayer timer, calming background music and sounds, guides, and bedtime stories.

The meditations are all based on scripture. They either tell the story of scripture or use the exact verse in each meditation. The app can be downloaded on the Apple and Google Play app stores.

Recommended Youtube Meditations

Abide also has a Youtube channel. I will list and link a few of the video meditations concerning gratitude and joy. These videos vary in length but typically range from 30-60 minutes in duration.

Go directly to the Abide website by referring, here.

YouVersion Bible App

The YouVersion Bible App is the highest-ranking Bible app available. While it doesn’t have specific meditations, it does have an option that plays scripture audibly. Users can choose from a wide array of Bible versions, and reading voices. They can also modify the speed at which the words are spoken.

In addition, this app has a setting that creates virtual art with scripture. For example, an individual can pick a background from dozens of choices. Then, he or she can choose a scripture and version to design on the page. These can be saved on the app and on the camera roll of a device. This is great for practicing memorization or for referring back to the scripture.

Furthermore, there is an option that allows you to state how you are feeling. An emoji with a facial expression leads you to the emotions, thoughts, or struggles you may be experiencing. From there, it leads you to scripture that speaks into these areas. This is helpful when you know there is an issue but you cannot always pinpoint what it is.

I use the Bible App each week, in addition to regular scripture reading that I do with a printed copy of scripture. I love having the app on my phone because it is always available. Whenever I find myself waiting, I tend to go on social media. Now, I have the opportunity to be filled with the goodness of God. Whether I’m in the waiting room at an appointment or looking for a midday pick me up, the Bible app is ideal.

The original Bible App and the Bible App for Children can be found, here. This can be downloaded on IOS, Android, and Voice. It can also be used directly from a computer.

Soultime Meditation

Soultime Meditation is a guided meditation app. It is headed up by Danny Silk, who is a prominent author and expert on emotional and relational health. There are settings that allow you to track your emotional and spiritual makeup. Additionally, are videos, music, personalized meditations, and scripture used throughout the app.

This app does not focus directly on joy and gratitude. However, it does help individuals work through anxiety, stress, forgiveness, relational hurt, disappointment, sleep issues, emotional clarity, and becoming a powerful individual.

These topics commonly get in the way of our gratitude and joy. Yes, we are called to give thanks to God no matter our circumstances. Yes, we also learn that we can be joyful no matter our struggles. Yet, at times it helps to get more clarity in life by working through other issues at hand. By bringing deeply rooted wounds to God, He can work out His healing. He can bring truth into those areas.

Biblical Example of the Principles of Soultime

An example we receive is from the book of Psalms. In the Psalms, the authors pour out their emotions, struggles, feelings, and pain. They do not relent in being honest. They do not bottle up their emotions and try to make sense of it on their own. Rather, they take it to God. They confess their sins and shortcomings. Then, they pray and ask God for His victory and strength to work. Lastly, the Psalms end with rejoicing, hopeful faith, and trust in God.

We can follow this model and remain in hopeful faith throughout our circumstances. We would also do well to honestly admit what hurts us. God is the only one who knows our thoughts better than we do. He can help us through them. His power is perfected in weakness.

Download the app and locate the Soultime website, here.

The Next Right Thing

The Next Right Thing is a podcast designed to help individuals make daily life decisions that can be overwhelming and difficult. Each Tuesday, a new topic is chosen along with a prayer, thoughtful reflection, and practical steps to take.

These podcasts can help you find more joy in life and in the Lord as you learn to focus on Him above all else. They can also remind you of the many things you have to be grateful for. They can show you the way God works through this world and through your everyday life, no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be. Thus, you will recognize more areas that you can give shouts of praise, and joy unto the Lord.

In the list below, I am sharing some of the podcasts that may help you to do so. Just click on the name and it’ll send you to a link with the podcast. These podcasts can also be found on The Next Right Thing homepage or through various podcast platforms.

Recommended Podcast Episodes

Stand On Your Head is all about shifting your perspective and intention to hold on to the right things and let go of the wrong. By letting go of whatever harmful thing you hold on to, you will make room for something good (gratitude, joy, etc).
Stop Rushing Clarity helps you overcome distraction and the overwhelming feelings that come when you can’t make a decision. Often, you feel as though you can’t move forward when this is the case. You may also feel like you can’t have joy in the meantime. However, there is a practical and Spirit-led process you can take.
Receive a New Beginning is a perfect morning meditation. It reminds us to go back to God with each and every moment. It helps us shake off discouragement and to put on new habits and thought processes.
Receive the Shadows and Light is a great podcast because it recognizes that there are both good and struggles in this life. A crucial part of having gratitude and joy in your own life is understanding this reality. If you are constantly expecting life to go one way or another, you will end up in a rut.

Whispers Christian Meditation

Whispers Christian Meditation exists to help individuals renew their minds each morning on the word of God. These meditations are focused on and revolve around scripture. This meditation helps individuals focus their soul on God, further develop their relationship with Christ, and gain more peace.

This meditation app has a wide variety of topics, scripture, videos, backgrounds, and relaxing sounds to choose from. Some of these include thanksgiving, joy, hope, faith, healing, and peace.

All of this and more is available on the Whisper Christian Meditation website and app.

Hope – Christian Meditation

Hope Meditation is much like the other apps and resources in that it offers aid in issues like anxiety, peace, rest, and sleep. Where Hope Meditation differs is that it explicitly states, “Hope is the best way to find peace and happiness right where you are!” The company also states that they offer a meditation experience unlike any other available.

Hope commends itself as offering people a life of intention, rather than reaction. Furthermore, it offers mindfulness practices in addition to daily devotionals, scripture meditations, and guided prayer. Guided meditations are available for any emotional experience or life experience.

Learn more about Hope Meditation in the Apple app store and the Google Play App store.

Additional Resources

More information and resources concerning meditation can be found in our additional blogs. We offer a whole section concerning Christian Disciplines and Meditation. These blogs will guide you in the do’s and don’t’s of Christian meditation. Additionally, they will help you develop the practice, discipline, and understanding needed to glean the most from your practice.

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