 This is not something I’m proud of… But I tend to choose grumbling over gratitude. Instead of asking “What’s the best thing that could happen?” I find myself catastrophizing and wondering what the worst could be in this situation. I can point out a negative over a positive in a second. In times of stress, my world becomes black and white— here’s what’s working and here’s what’s not. There is no in between. As I’ve aged, I’ve also become more self-aware and have worked on this over the years. Here’s the main thing I’ve learned: Gratitude and grumbling cannot co-exist. Possibly this is why 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The “all circumstances” part is the hardest, right? It’s easier to wish for or whine about the greener grass rather than put in the work to cultivate the land we've been given. When we long for healing, it’s incredibly hard to give thanks to the Healer who hasn’t come through yet. At times it can seem safer to uproot instead of sink your roots deep into something and make it grow. It’s our human default to want more rather than make the most of it. However, the secret to contentment is living life as one great big thank you note to God. It's not wanting more but making more of our moments. It's being present enough to soak up the potential in the place we're in-- the dry and weary land or the celebrated promised one. If you find yourself grumbling today, try gratitude instead. Just try it. You may find that your passive aggressive comments turn into praise, anxiety gives way to peace, and notice the beautiful things in the broken place. Here’s how to start… Write down every day three things that you’re thankful for. Don’t just think about it, write it down. There’s something in that act that gives it permanency in your mind. Here’s what that looks like for me— I open my journal each morning and create sections. The first one is a bulleted section titled “Three Things I’m Thankful For.” There are days I have filled this out with tears in my eyes and others with a celebratory spirit. But I try my best to give thanks no matter what and it rearranges my priorities. Now you try it. Whip out your phone, grab that napkin that’s been hanging out in your car and the pen in your purse, or open your own journal and jot down a list or a little note of gratitude to God. When we make this a practice, Thanksgiving goes beyond the holiday and seeps into our daily lives that we begin to notice are full of blessing. What are you thankful for? Think about it:
Our Prayer: Lord, We do give you thanks for all circumstances. Whether we are in a season of rejoicing or suffering (or maybe both) we must trust that you have our best in mind. There are times when we don’t see that. However, may we look at these moments of hardship and think back to all the ways you have delivered us in the past. What you’ve done before you’ll do again so we are allowed to give thanks in advance and prophesy your goodness even before we see it. We are thankful and we enter into your courts today with praise for all you are and all you’ve done. In Jesus name, Amen
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