Today is Thanksgiving, the one day in the year that causes many to intentionally cease regular activities to focus on gratitude. It's kind of bitter/sweet in my thoughts. Not to say that I am ungrateful that someone thought this refocusing on being thankful to be so important to make it a holiday. But more sad to think that it was necessary. As a society are we so ungrateful for the beauty in our lives, that unless we are told on this holiday to be thankful that we forget to be? Is the refocusing on this not a wonderful thing? It is wonderful, but if described as a refocus that tells a story about how far it is from our normal focus.
How would life be different if we lived gratitude as a way of life? If we were intentional, daily, consistently to stand in awe, to live in amazed wonder at the small seemingly insignificant gifts all around. What about finding gratitude when life really doesn't feel so pleasant? Or when we lose things we place high value on? How can we be grateful when someone we love dies? Or when just existing is painful? Can we be thankful during these moments of intense stress, when hurt, sadness, pain, grief, anger, confusion, or when we can't even identify what we are feeling. When we look around and feel lost, weak, powerless, and begin to lose hope, can a person be thankful? Those moments when we haven't a clue where God is or what His will is, how do we know what to do?
The answer is simple, but the choice feels hard. "Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
It can be just that easy, those moments when we have no clue what it is that we are supposed to be doing- Give thanks! When life is wonderful-Give thanks! When every breath feels hard-Give thanks! When life just keeps raining on your parade-Give thanks! When you finally see the rainbow-Give thanks! On the darkest night, when you're not even sure you can trust the sun to rise-Give thanks!
Giving thanks is an intentional choice. Gratitude is not a feeling, it is an action. Will I choose to believe that God will make good rise out of ALL things? If gratitude is an action that can be taken, regardless of circumstances, feelings, or thoughts, then we really have the authority to change our lives by making this a lifestyle.
Someone once told me that it is hard to be hateful when your grateful. I also believe that one can not be hopeless while maintaining an 'Attitude Of Gratitude'.
Today I make an intentional choice to believe truth despite what feelings may be screaming to grab my attention. I will choose to develop gratitude. There are many things in life that are outside of my control, but my gratitude can be grown, cultivated, and used to change my perspective any time I am willing to change my outlook.
How would life be different if we lived gratitude as a way of life? If we were intentional, daily, consistently to stand in awe, to live in amazed wonder at the small seemingly insignificant gifts all around. What about finding gratitude when life really doesn't feel so pleasant? Or when we lose things we place high value on? How can we be grateful when someone we love dies? Or when just existing is painful? Can we be thankful during these moments of intense stress, when hurt, sadness, pain, grief, anger, confusion, or when we can't even identify what we are feeling. When we look around and feel lost, weak, powerless, and begin to lose hope, can a person be thankful? Those moments when we haven't a clue where God is or what His will is, how do we know what to do?
The answer is simple, but the choice feels hard. "Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
It can be just that easy, those moments when we have no clue what it is that we are supposed to be doing- Give thanks! When life is wonderful-Give thanks! When every breath feels hard-Give thanks! When life just keeps raining on your parade-Give thanks! When you finally see the rainbow-Give thanks! On the darkest night, when you're not even sure you can trust the sun to rise-Give thanks!
Giving thanks is an intentional choice. Gratitude is not a feeling, it is an action. Will I choose to believe that God will make good rise out of ALL things? If gratitude is an action that can be taken, regardless of circumstances, feelings, or thoughts, then we really have the authority to change our lives by making this a lifestyle.
Someone once told me that it is hard to be hateful when your grateful. I also believe that one can not be hopeless while maintaining an 'Attitude Of Gratitude'.
Today I make an intentional choice to believe truth despite what feelings may be screaming to grab my attention. I will choose to develop gratitude. There are many things in life that are outside of my control, but my gratitude can be grown, cultivated, and used to change my perspective any time I am willing to change my outlook.