Practice Thankfulness

Sometimes we replay our problems over and over again so much that we accidentally make it a habit. Coffee dates with our girlfriends unintentionally morph into dialogues about how stressed we are; how the kids are tearing up the house; how our partners are less than perfect; how “if my boss makes one more sideways comment, they can have this job”; how “so-and-so is always smiling in my face, but she’s so fake because I know that cryptic IG post she made was about me”; how there’s never enough money to cover the bills; and the list goes on and on.

What if we were thankful for all the blessings and joy in our lives despite the problems we’re facing? What if we were grateful for the problems—the messy kids, the imperfect spouse, the job, the option to unfollow a “friend”? When we practice gratitude, it opens our hearts to believe we will always have what we need, exactly when we need it.

That’s when you must choose to shift your focus to the gifts that are so generously scattered throughout the moments of your life. Like how my daughter, Bean, peeks into my office after school to check on me and massages my shoulders when I look stressed. How she’s the perfect big sister and helps so much with her brother. How she used her own money to buy me a slice of red velvet cake from the bake sale because she knew it was my favorite.

What you focus on is what you see. The thoughts you recirculate through your mind are the ones that dictate your mood. If you are ungrateful, you will constantly have something to complain about. Appreciate what you have, and you will attract more positive things into your life. Practice thankfulness.

Approach today with a mindset of gratitude. Be grateful for what you have, who you are, what you’re learning, and where this journey is taking you.

Prayer

Father, you have surrounded me with blessings, and I am so thankful for them. Please help me see how you have been at work around me, and please help me feel gratitude even when I am going through difficult seasons. Amen.