Attitude of Gratitude
July 30, 2021
Hey y’all!
Gratitude is transformative. It can make a bad day good and a good day great. I’ve noticed that when I am grateful for my circumstances, even if they aren’t ideal, things seem to go better. I doubt that anything actually changes besides my perception, but how things are perceived is extremely important.
I don’t keep a gratitude journal, but I’m starting to think I should. Maybe you should join me. All a gratitude journal involves is writing three to five things that you are grateful for at the end of every day. This simple task is actually quite profound. It helps you reflect over your entire day - something many of us don’t take the time to do. It helps you turn your mind and your heart to God and thank Him for the gifts of the day. It reminds you that even when things seem like they are falling apart, there are moments and people and situations to be grateful for.
You don’t have to do it in a physical journal - you can use your phone, your computer, a bulletin board, a planner - you can be creative or practical. You don’t even have to write it down. You can just take time in the evening to review your day and think about what you’re grateful for.
When we have gratitude for all we are given, humility, love of God, love of others, and other virtues naturally start to develop. We also feel better. Looking on the bright side, as cliche as it sounds, can actually affect you in a positive way.
I am in no way saying that negative emotions don’t have a place in the life of a Christian. They do, and they should. Feel what you feel. Don’t suppress it or pretend it doesn’t exist - that’s unhealthy. However, sitting in negative emotions for too long and letting them take control of your whole existence is also unhealthy. I don’t say this to you from a place of judgement. I say it from a place of understanding and love. I struggle with this too, and cultivating an attitude of gratitude has helped me. I’m not perfect by any means. There’s still times when I let my negative emotions take control, but there have been victories. There have been times where I have chosen to search for the good in a given situation, and I have found it.
Another thing I love about gratitude is that it humbles us in a gentle way. It reminds us that we are not self-sufficient and that we can and should accept help. It helps us recognize that God is capable of giving us all we need. It gives us an opportunity to set aside our pride and simply receive.
That’s all for now. Know of my prayers for you and your families, and please keep me and this ministry in your prayers.
Peace of Christ,
Miss Jessica
A.M.D.G.