Gratitude

COUNT YOUR JOYS

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

The most fulfilling relationships are the ones that are reciprocal.  Though the relationship may vary depending on who pursues whom at times, there is mutual support available.  You can depend on them to be there for you when you need it, and vice versa.  These are relationship to rejoice over, for they are a blessing from God.

Think of those who have been there throughout your life.  can you rejoice over the relationships that are no longer present and yet still be grateful for what they were at the time?  Are you grateful for those relationship you have in your life now?  There are many reasons to rejoice in gratitude, and our relationships are a major one!

Think of someone who was there for you in a particularly hard moment in your life.  now consider how you can show them your gratitude.  You could send flowers, take them to dinner, or send a card.  Whatever it is, be genuine and specific about what you are thankful for and follow through on it!

Gratitude

CHASING AWE

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?  Psalm 8:3-4

There are many ways we can connect to awe.  One of the main ways is through creation.  Being in nature-driving in the mountains, sitting beside a waterfall, wandering near the ocean, looking up at a starry sky-all this type of activity can calm our nervous systems and connect us to the world.  Awe is a powerful emotion.  It is both poignant and expansive.  Though it is different from gratitude, they are similar, and gratitude can lead us toward it.

Where are the places we feel the most wonder?  Is there a particular path, a stream, or spot where we can feel the grandeur of the world and the minuteness of our problems?  Prioritizing these experiences, especially when we are overwhelmed, can help us cope with the overwhelming challenges in our lives.  Gratitude and awe can go together, especially when we are in a beautiful place that makes us feel the scope of our humanity.

Spend time chasing awe outdoors today.  Look at the night sky, go birdwatching in the woods, or sit on your back porch.  Engage with nature in a way that helps settle your soul.

GRATITUDE

RULED BY PEACE

Let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts.  And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

Gratitude can lead us to a more peaceful state of mind.  The more we practice it, the more we are reminded that there is goodness present here.  When we are constantly striving for something out of our reach, satisfaction and peace may elude us.  But when we ground ourselves in the present moment through gratitude, we can experience the power of that moment.  We can embrace the beauty of the now.

The presence of Christ is always available, and it is full of the peace of God.  God does not worry, and we can trust him with the things that worry us.  As we do, and as we notice the gifts which he has already given us, we can rest in his peace.  Let’s not forget the power of his promises, including the peace that passes all understand.

Think of everything that helps you rest and brings you peace and thank God for them.

GRATITUDE

EFFECTS OF ENDURANCE

Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.   James 1:4

Steadfastness is defined as possessing the quality of being unwavering.  Endurance helps us pass through hard times.  Discomfort can make us want a way to escape it, but he truth is that we cannot outrun our experiences.  We will have pain and loss in life.  These are not the enemy; they are a natural part of it.  When we ground ourselves in gratitude, we can endure the hard times with more resolution because we become aware of the reality that the hard things are not all that we have.  There is still beauty.  There is still value.  There are still a lot of reasons to keep going.

Gratitude connects us to those things.  It redirects our attention to what remains good, true, and lovely, even amid the hardships.  In the end, we become satisfied, not when everything is right in our world, but when we embrace all that is already here and available to us.

When you feel uncomfortable today, instead of trying to escape the sensation, push through it while allowing the feelings that come up.  Remember that you are strong in the Lord, and you can do difficult things.

GRATITUDE

LIVING SACRIFICE

Since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives a living sacrifice to him.  Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.  Romans 12:1

Becoming a living sacrifice to the Lord does not mean never experiencing joy, pleasure, or satisfaction.  In fact, joy is accessible right now through the practice of gratitude.  Life satisfaction is shown to increase with the developed habit of thankfulness.  What a beautiful truth this is.  There are treasures of delight to be found in the nitty-gritty of our lives.  We access them through our attention and our gratitude.

Studies have shown that depressive symptoms may reduce when we create daily practices of gratitude.  This is not to say that we should avoid other interventions, but by incorporating gratitude into our lives, we can vastly improve our outlooks and the quality of our lives.

Put a reminder to direct your attention to gratitude in a prominent place in your home.  Make it visible on a mirror, inside your front door, or at eye-level on your fridge.

GRATITUDE

PERFECT GIFTS

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

Every good think is from above.  This means that every good thing in our lives is worth celebrating because it is a blessing from God.  Nothing is too small to not be a reason for rejoicing.  No gift should be overlooked.  Gratitude helps us connect with both the big and the small gifts that are all around us.

When we focus our attention on the goodness that is already present in our lives, we honor the giver of those gifts.  Delight in the little joys today, and you may just find that your heart is more full, more peaceful, and more satisfied.  God gives generously and without hidden motives.  There is no shifting shadows in his heart or his presence.  As you acknowledge the beautiful parts of your life, allow your heart to overflow in gratitude to the Lord.

Find a way to give a gift just for the joy of it today.  Bless someone with a meal, coffee, or a meaningful note.  Be creative and intentional and do it without expecting anything in return.

GRATITUDE

BEAUTY OF BELONGING

We, your devoted lovers, will forever thank you, praising your name from generation to generation!  Psalm 79:13

Gratitude doesn’t only connect us to the Lord; it also connects us to others.  He is a good Father, and he has welcomed s into his family.  We are not isolated or alone even if we may feel that way from time to time.  Gratitude helps us see the connections that are already there instead of focusing on what we don’t have.

A few genuine friends are better than many superficial ones.  Having people in your life that you can rely on is a gift from God.  We can find the depth of our chosen family within our friendships as well as in our communities.  Being seen, accepted, and challenged by those who know us well is one of the greatest aspects of life.  let’s not neglect the life-giving relationships we have.  Let’s look at them with gratitude and thank the faithful people in our lives.

Think of those you are closest to and the specific ways you are grateful for those relationships.  Make a point of expressing your gratitude for their presence in you r life in some way today.