A Gift of Gratitude

A writing friend recently invited me to keep a thirty-day gratitude journal. To identify every day what I am grateful for, notice the surprising lessons and blessings, contemplate life minus those good things, and journal for about twenty minutes each evening to give praise and thanks to God.

How do I view God and the daily blessings He showers on me? Is God a vending machine? No! He is the living God in Three Persons Who has created humankind in His image, Who also enjoys and responds to each simple and sincere, “Thank You.” Could it be He hurts as I do when a costly gift given in love is not accepted or acknowledged? Does God, Who has given ALL for me, and does so every day, deserve to be completely ignored, or treated in blasé or rude ways?

Gratitude invites me, battle worn from my own and others’ trials in a seemingly imploding world, to step into a refreshing pool, wash free (entrust to God) the weight of negative naggy things, and see beyond the smoke of conflict. It helps me pivot, to “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” To tap into the positive emotional aspects and actions of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Specifically contemplating daily blessings head-wise (analytical), allows me to experience heart-wise (emotional and spiritual) the beautiful pouring of God’s truth, personal forgiveness, and great love. To receive courage and transformation as I rest and trust more in my LORD—the Prince of Peace—Who has already won the war.

What will you experience when you make a habit of giving God gratitude?

What hidden blessings will you discern as you sit quietly before Him, journaling and contemplating each day, and listening for His thoughts?

God is waiting and is always available. What a Mighty Living God we serve, Who is more than worthy to be praised!

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LORD, thank You for blessing me with this gratitude challenge, for helping me slow down to notice and more deeply embrace Your presence and care for me. Forgive me for being blasé. Help me to seek and know You in every incident of my life, to listen to You, and to thank You, LORD, for Your great Love. May my gratitude honor and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

My friend’s gratitude journal will be published in the near future. Here is the link to her prayer journal—Time with God: https://a.co/d/5NGfj7m