10 Days of Unspeakable JoySample

A Grateful Heart is a Happy Heart

If you’re lacking joy, a sure way to get it quickly is to make a gratitude list. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Nothing will steal your joy faster than comparing and complaining. Let me share a testimony: I used to be a complainer. When I would read the book of Exodus, I understood exactly what it was like. They complained and so they remained. I would look around in my life and it was a result of my mouth. The good things and the bad things. I would have bad panic attacks that would lead to hospitalization (yes, as a Spirit-filled Christian) because I wouldn’t control my mouth. A Christian counselor helped me realize the root cause of all the panic attacks was my complaining!

See the enemy only has entrance into your life where there is sin. Complaining is a very dangerous sin. Complaining led my mind to be negative and when I dwelt on those thoughts long enough, a negative mindset caused panic. On the contrary, a grateful, praise-filled mouth invites God’s presence into your life. The Bible says, God Himself inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). When I chose to stop complaining and to start praising, my mindset and life were healed. I felt lighter, happier, and I was able to laugh more! This did not happen overnight. I had to push through and choose gratefulness every day.

Application time: Make a gratitude list. For the next 7 days only talk about the things you're grateful for. Your mind is a servant. Just like you tell your hands to hug someone, you can tell your mind what it’s going to think. At first, it’s hard work. It’s like training a two-year-old! Your mind wants to do its own thing but with God’s help, and with your consistency and perseverance, you will prevail.