Have you ever tried logging into something, your email, your banking app, and the password just refused to work? You try again, and again, and again… until frustration sets in.

On Sunday, we were reminded that life feels like that sometimes. You pray, you try, you push, but nothing seems to move. And then God gently taps you and says, “Use the right password.”

That password is gratitude.

Psalm 100 calls thanksgiving the key that grants access to God’s presence. Imagine that joy, peace, clarity, and divine help are all behind a door that opens with one simple word: Thank You. And if you want to be the role model who leads well, inspires people, and carries grace with ease, gratitude must be part of your daily rhythm.

One of the things that hit differently in this sermon was the reminder that wisdom is often counterintuitive. Scripture shows us that giving opens doors, softens hearts, and grants access to people of influence. The same principle works with God.

Even the most powerful person, yes, including God, responds to appreciation. Gratitude is not just good manners; it is a spiritual strategy. It shifts atmospheres. It turns frustration into faith. It teaches your heart where your help truly comes from.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, weary, or overwhelmed, maybe the next move isn’t to ask louder… but to thank deeper.

John 3:16 reminds us that love gives. And one of the simplest gifts you can give God is a sincere “Thank You.” Appreciation has weight in heaven. It counts. It matters.

Every time you thank God, you are saying:
“Lord, I see what You’ve done.”
“I trust what You’re doing.”
“And I believe what You’re about to do.”

That is what separates ordinary people from the role model—the person who doesn’t just talk faith but lives it.

If you’ve spent January to November stressing, complaining, or just trying to survive, this month is your invitation to breathe. To reset. To shift your heart back to gratitude.

Thank God for what worked.
Thank Him for what didn’t work.
Thank Him for what is still on the way.

Gratitude refocuses you. It grounds you. It opens you up to receive everything God has prepared for you.

So as you step into the remaining days of this year, remember:
The right password unlocks everything.
Make gratitude yours.

An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Sam Adeyemi, on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Watch this sermon here