October greets us with a chill in the air and color on the trees, a quiet invitation to slow down and reflect. The season of harvest is upon us—not just in the physical sense, but in the spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal places where God has been at work behind the scenes. It’s easy to think of harvest in terms of abundance: baskets of apples, full pantries, or financial blessings. But for many women, the richest harvests are not found on grocery lists or paychecks. They’re tucked in moments of peace after a storm, clarity after confusion, or grace after grief.
When we look back over the past year—its ups and downs, detours and delays—we can usually find the fingerprints of God even in places that once felt barren. Those dry seasons weren’t wasted. They were tilling the soil of our souls. The prayers we whispered through tears, the strength we mustered when we had none left—these, too, were seeds. And now, as the seasons change, we begin to recognize what has been quietly growing in us all along.
It’s easy to express gratitude when everything is going well. But what about when things aren’t? What if you’re stepping into fall feeling anything but full—grieving a loved one, picking up the pieces of a divorce, or simply exhausted from carrying the weight of the world? Gratitude in those moments isn’t performative—it’s prophetic. It says, “I trust You, Lord, even here.”
Sometimes, the harvest is not in what God gives but in what He grows within us. Resilience. Wisdom. Patience. Trust. Peace. Sometimes the gift is that we didn’t give up when we could have. That’s worth celebrating, too.
Gratitude isn’t just a seasonal emotion—it’s a spiritual posture. When we develop daily practices that help us pause and give thanks, our hearts become fertile ground for joy. Gratitude helps us slow down and notice what God is doing, even when life is loud and demanding. It softens hardened places, quiets anxious thoughts, and transforms what we once considered “ordinary” into something sacred.
Let’s be honest—not every season feels “harvest worthy.” Maybe this October, you’re grieving a loss, recovering from betrayal, or navigating financial strain. You see others celebrating abundance while you feel empty-handed.
But even here, gratitude has a place.
Gratitude doesn’t ignore pain—it transforms it. It allows us to say, “This hurts, but I still trust God.” It whispers, “I don’t see it yet, but I believe the harvest is coming.” The Psalms are full of raw, honest prayers where gratitude coexists with heartbreak. David cried out in despair but always returned to praise.
If you’re struggling, start small. Thank God for breath in your lungs. Thank Him for staying, even when others walked away. Thank Him for loving you—flaws, tears, and all. That’s a harvest, too.
Here are a few simple yet powerful ways to cultivate gratitude in everyday life:
Morning Praise: Begin each day with three things you’re thankful for. They don’t have to be big—hot coffee, a good night’s sleep, a simple text message from someone you love. Gratitude shifts the atmosphere.
Gratitude Journal: Keep a notebook where you track answered prayers, moments of kindness, or lessons learned. Looking back during hard times will remind you that God has always been working.
Scripture Meditation: Choose verses that anchor your heart in thankfulness. Try 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Serving Others: There’s no better way to express thanks for what you have than by being a blessing to someone else. Volunteer, donate, or encourage someone who’s struggling. Giving grows gratitude.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we’re reminded that thanks and giving are deeply intertwined. Giving becomes an extension of gratitude. Whether it’s cooking a meal for someone in need, donating to a ministry, or simply writing a heartfelt note to someone who’s impacted your life, your expression of gratitude can spark healing in someone else’s life.
This month also brings National Boss’s Day—a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the women in leadership who often give more than they receive. Whether you’re leading a business, a church, a nonprofit, a ministry, or your own healing journey, know this: your labor is not in vain. You may not always be publicly thanked, but heaven keeps score. And your obedience, your excellence, and your compassion matter more than you know.
Sometimes the most revolutionary thing a woman can do is stop and thank God for how far she’s come.
We can’t talk about October without acknowledging the emotional complexity it may bring. For some, this season reopens wounds: the memory of a loved one lost, the ache of a divorce, or the sting of betrayal that still lingers. Family gatherings may feel incomplete. Traditions that once brought joy now feel heavy.
But God is still the God of restoration.
Joel 2:25 promises, “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” Restoration doesn’t always come in the form we expect. Sometimes it looks like inner peace instead of outer perfection. Sometimes it comes through friendships we didn’t see coming or unexpected opportunities that soften what was broken. Healing isn’t linear, but it is possible. And even now, God is planting new seeds in your life—seeds of wholeness, clarity, confidence, and joy.
So as you sip cider, pull out your cozy sweaters, and reflect on what this year has meant, don’t just look at what you’ve lost or longed for. Take time to see what’s been gained. Maybe it’s perspective. Maybe it’s strength. Maybe it’s a deeper faith.
Because sometimes the most beautiful harvests are the ones that happen inside of us.
Let this season be your invitation—not just to say “thank You” once a year, but to live in a posture of gratitude every single day. Whether your hands are full or your heart feels fragile, God is near. He is faithful in every season. And the very fact that you’re still standing is proof that He’s not finished with your story.
Dr. Dwan Abrams is a respected behavioral analyst featured on several TVOne crime series, an accomplished author, and the founder of Unleash Your Inner Worth, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering women. With a background in psychology and a passion for inspiring others, Dr. Abrams combines expertise and compassion to uplift individuals on their journey toward personal and spiritual growth.
