Finding Hope and Healing in a Fallen WorldSample

GRATITUDE

Have you noticed? It’s easy for people to be cynical. Some folks even slip into pessimism when they’re trying to be positive – like being happy for sunshine, but complaining that it’ll rain tomorrow. It’s hard to have joy when the glass is always half-empty. But we can turn that around by choosing to be grateful. I don’t mean brief moments here and there where we acknowledge good things in life. I’m talking about living a life of gratitude to the Lord.

Gratefulness is not merely an emotion we feel; it’s a choice we make to recognize God’s goodness in our lives. This is especially important considering the struggles life can present to all of us. The fact is, we may have to search for reasons to be grateful. Perhaps we’re having trouble at work. We can still be grateful that we have a job. Or maybe our child is making poor decisions. Our disappointment may be warranted, but we can still be thankful they’re healthy and safe at that moment.

Gratitude is not merely thankfulness when everything is going right. After all, life is rarely like that. No, gratitude is understanding we live in a world corrupted by sin, yet choosing to see the presence of God in the midst of those troubles. That can be tough because the smallest blessings are often the hardest to notice. But they’re also what gives our lives its richness and meaning.