The Contented Life Daily DevotionalSample

Gratitude Is The Key To Your Future

In seasons of great difficulty or change, you might wonder, "What is God's will for my life?" It's a commonly asked question when the future seems uncertain. But did you know you can be content in times of uncertainty by shifting your focus from what you don't know to what you do know?

You can start by asking yourself, "Amid all this difficulty, what am I thankful for?"

When circumstances change, it's easy to get caught up in listing everything going wrong. You quickly see a mounting list of people who treat you poorly, things that don't go your way, and roadblocks that keep you from where you want to be.

Maybe you've heard the adage: "Count your blessings…" a bit of sage advice from an old hymn published in 1897 by Pastor Johnson Oatman. Consider the words of the first verse and chorus:

When upon life billows, you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking, all is lost.

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Take a moment to think of just a few things you are thankful for today. A grateful heart is like a water tap; once you turn on the faucet, thankfulness, like the water, will continually flow. Before you know it, you will have a long list, no matter what else is going on around you. In thankful remembering, you'll find that your vision for your future is secure as your heart aligns with God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

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By: Jacqui Bishop