An Attitude of Gratitude

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes that as believers, we should “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It may seem like a tall order for God to ask us to rejoice and give thanks in ALL circumstances, but it’s important to realize sometimes we will be grateful because  of our circumstances, and other times, we will be grateful despite our circumstances. In the best of times and worst of times, there are a few constants that we can be thankful for in any situation. We have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and have been promised eternal life with our Father in heaven. The Lord assures us that He is always with us, always in control, and always has our best interest in His heart.

This “big picture” perspective is so vital, especially since the past year has been full of circumstances that have been disheartening and full of uncertainty. However, amid the negativity, there were many beautiful moments and cherished memories that we can look back on with joy and thankfulness.

How can we make the conscious decision to have an attitude of gratitude every single day? Just keep it simple. Every morning, thank God for the breath in your lungs and the sunshine streaking through the window. In the evening, reflect on the day and just choose to give thanks for one thing that brought a smile to your face, regardless of how miniscule or insignificant it might seem.

I personally do this by keeping a gratitude log in my bullet journal with enough space for one sentence each day, and one of my favorite part of my nightly routine is when I pull out my journal before bed to write down one thing I am thankful for. Throughout the day, knowing that I will update my gratitude log with a new entry in the evening has made me more aware of the amazing things that are happening around me, which has made me a more thankful person as a result.

Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s make every single day a day when we give thanks, because a thankful heart is a joyful heart.