Joseph Otsibah 
A Reflection by Mrs Gifty Alegsi-Ampofo (Resident Missionary’s Wife – The Church of Pentecost, US Virgin Islands & Today’s Woman Show Host)
Gratitude is more than a feeling; it is a practice, a posture, and a deliberate choice. Intentionality is essential. In this reflection, I highlight two primary dimensions of gratitude: Vertical gratitude, directed toward God (Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.”), and Horizontal gratitude, expressed towards people, provision, and lived experiences (Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God every time I remember you”; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”).
INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE – VERTICAL ANGLE
Intentional gratitude begins by looking upward and asking, “What am I grateful to God for?” This leads us to declare:
Thank You, Lord, for our lives. Thank You for caring for us, loving us, and reminding us that we matter and are highly valued (Psalm 139:14 – “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”).
INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE – HORIZONTAL ANGLE
Gratitude then moves outward. We give thanks for the people closest to us—our spouses, our children, and those who genuinely care for us (Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”).
We thank God for true friends who remain constant through the seasons of life (Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”).
We also express gratitude for family, community, and the gift of belonging (Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”).
INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE – TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE
We thank God for the foundations that sustain daily life:
– Physical health, mobility, strength, and endurance (3 John 1:2).
– Material provisions such as housing, education, work, career, and financial resources (Philippians 4:19).
– The blessings we possess—whether modest or abundant (Matthew 6:26).
GRATITUDE – PERSPICACITY
This reflection invites us into a mindful journey of gratitude, travelling through the alphabet of divine gifts—from A to Z—acknowledging the many dimensions of God’s goodness in our lives.
From the Air that sustains us (Job 33:4) to the Zeal that propels our purpose (Philippians 3:14), each letter represents a thread in the tapestry of God’s provision.
We celebrate:
– Breath (Genesis 2:7),
– The compassion of Caregivers,
– The saving Grace of God (Ephesians 2:8),
– The Joy that strengthens us (Nehemiah 8:10),
– Health, Marriage, Family, Love, Kindness, and Resilience.
Gratitude energises our Trust (Proverbs 3:5), ignites our Wisdom (James 1:5), and inspires a quiet Strength (Psalm 46:10). In all things, we acknowledge God’s overflowing grace that renews, empowers, and gives us victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
The profound insight here is that intentional gratitude reminds us that we often have far more than we realise—even in hardship.
GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING: THE MATHEMATICS OF BREATH
When facing illness, emotional pain, financial pressure, grief, betrayal, or loss, gratitude can feel distant. In such moments, we begin with one simple truth: the value of a single breath.
For illustration, if the average person breathes 12–16 times per minute, and we hypothetically assign each breath a cost of 50 cents, the calculation becomes astonishing:
Per minute: 16 breaths × $0.50 = $8
Per hour: $8 × 60 = $480
Per day: $480 × 24 = $11,520
Per week: $11,520 × 7 = $80,640
Per month: $80,640 × 4 = $322,560
Per year: $322,560 × 12 = $3,870,720
Over 20 years: $3,870,720 × 20 = $77,414,400
By age 20, the “cost” of breathing would exceed $77 million—far beyond anyone’s ability to pay.
Yet God gives breath freely, without invoices or conditions. From conception until this very moment, every breath has been a gift (Psalm 24:1; Acts 17:25). That alone is reason enough to say, “Thank You, Lord.”
ANOTHER LAYER OF GRATITUDE: COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO BREATHE WITH ASSISTANCE
Some rely on oxygen tanks or concentrators, bearing financial, emotional, and physical costs for what many receive freely. This awareness should deepen our gratitude and awaken compassion.
It reminds us that health is fragile and that human experiences differ widely. Gratitude, therefore, must evolve into empathy and mature into kindness (Ephesians 4:32).
CLOSING REFLECTION
By embodying compassion and kindness, we become conduits of hope, enabling others to express gratitude—whether to God, caregivers, or fellow humans. Gratitude becomes more than personal appreciation; it becomes a shared experience that strengthens relationships.
Gratitude does not deny pain. It acknowledges goodness alongside difficulty, recognising God’s abiding presence and faithfulness—moment by moment, breath by breath, day by day (Psalm 103:2–3).
Whether thriving or struggling, breathing freely or with assistance, we can still offer this Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Thank You, Lord:
For the gift of life and every breath—freely given or assisted.
For visible and invisible provisions.
For the highs and lows of life.
For our spouses, children, families, church communities, and all who love and care for us.
For genuine friends whose loyalty endures across seasons.
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.” — Psalm 9:1
May our gratitude soften our hearts, widen our compassion, and remind us that every breath is sacred (Psalm 150:6).
Thank You, God, and thank you all.
About The Author
Joseph Attoh 
