Learning To Be Thankful All Year Through
It is easy to be thankful when things are going as planned. We may say our prayers every day and night. We are gracious to our family and friends; we greet the mailman as he drops off our bills and holiday cards. But no one likes to speak about the other times, those darker times, when we are not so enthused with the thought of saying thank you. At those times, who should we run to? The scripture tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
We will all face adversity in our lives. We have to believe that we are already born with everything within us that we need to survive in this world. The ability to turn a negative situation into a positive situation is a gift within itself. Take a moment to think of the most recent issue that you viewed negatively. How did you deal with it? Did you ask GOD for guidance and strength to endure the storm? Did you look back and notice only one set of footprints in the sand and thought they only belonged to you? These are the times when we need GOD the most to encourage us to deal with our situations head on and fearlessly. GOD did not give us the spirit of FEAR, so why should we be afraid?
There have definitely been times in my life when I have felt alone. It seemed as if no one could relate to my kind of pain, even if they had been through the same situation. Then I had to realize that I am created by an awesome force that is larger than anything in this universe. If I am created in his image, then how awesome am I? People before me have endured the type of struggle and pain that I couldn’t even imagine, so why am I complaining? Learning to be thankful during the times in life that we struggle the most will teach us to have a deeper level of empathy for one another and a more intimate relationship with the Creator.
Take the time to be grateful in all things, good or bad, because they could always be worse. The one thing someone said to me that will always stick is,
“If things are going well, don’t worry, they can get worse. If things are going badly, don’t worry, they can get better.”
Take a few moments in the AM and before bed, to be grateful in all things. Whether it was good or bad, see it as an experience and a lesson. Ask yourself, “What did I learn from that?” Even if it wasn’t pretty, what was the lesson?
Life is about choices. We have the ability to choose how and why we are having the experiences that we do. To relive the same situation over and over again is our choice based on reflections made.
Remember everyone’s gratitude shifts your attitude. So why not make the choice to shift it with reflection and thankfulness.
TAKE THIS CHALLENGE!
Who will take on a 25 day challenge? For the next 25 days, write down and reflect on gratitude and acknowledgements every day and every night. Let me know how you are doing with this. I’m in this with you. – Amy D.