Photo credit: Google
Being thankful is popular around Thanksgiving, but quickly dwindles away in light of Black Friday sales. However, gratitude should be integrated into our daily lives. God's Word commands us to give Him thanks. There's always something to be grateful for. If the ONLY thing you have to be thankful for is Christ making a way for us all to have a relationship with God, that would be more than enough! Most of you reading this, though, have numerous reasons to be thankful. In today's post, I am going to be sharing some ideas I have learned from others on how to reflect on things we are thankful for daily.
1. Give thanks to God each day.
First and foremost, we should begin our prayers daily by giving thanks to God. Psalm 100:4 tells us to "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." It's easy to go to God and unload our laundry list of things we need/want, but His Word commands us to give Him thanks for what we already have first. Give thanks to Him for all He has done, all He has given you, and simply for who He is.
2. Start a gratitude journal.
1. Give thanks to God each day.
First and foremost, we should begin our prayers daily by giving thanks to God. Psalm 100:4 tells us to "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." It's easy to go to God and unload our laundry list of things we need/want, but His Word commands us to give Him thanks for what we already have first. Give thanks to Him for all He has done, all He has given you, and simply for who He is.
2. Start a gratitude journal.
This is something I have just started doing again. A friend shared this with me a while back. Write down 5 things you are grateful for each morning and each night. Here's the catch: Never write the same thing twice. This makes you really dig deep to think of things you are thankful for.
3. Create a Habit of Giving Thanks Instead of Complaining
A bad habit I really want to break is complaining. I don't want to complain at all, about anything, ever because Philippians 2:14-15 says:
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Not complaining is a huge way we can shine for Jesus. Believe me, people around you will see your light shining if you never complain. Someone who never complains is going to stand out. (Of course, you can still pour out your heart to God in prayer about things that bother you.)
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Not complaining is a huge way we can shine for Jesus. Believe me, people around you will see your light shining if you never complain. Someone who never complains is going to stand out. (Of course, you can still pour out your heart to God in prayer about things that bother you.)
Below are a few examples that Heather Lindsey posted on Instagram that will also help you look at things in proper perspective:
I am going to add a few things to this list:
- In heavy traffic? Thank God you are physically able to drive, have gas, and a vehicle to get you where you are going!
- Didn't get a close parking spot? Thank God you are able to walk.
- Dislike the weather? Thank God you have warm clothes, central heating & air, and insulation in your home.. AND that you have a home.
- iPhone, iPad, or laptop going dead? Thank God you have these items. In 3rd world countries, these are unheard of and many right here in the states cannot afford these items.
- Power outage? There's nothing like a power outage to remind us what a blessing electricity is! There's very little we can do without it.
- Living paycheck to paycheck? In comparison to people in third world countries, you live a luxurious life. Things that we often take for granted as "basic needs" would be luxury items to them: safe home, clean water, food to eat (choices of what to eat), hot water (baths/showers), a car, medical care.. Just to name a few.
4. Start a blessing jar!
Photo credit: Pinterest
I just started this a couple months ago. I saw this idea on Pinterest one time. The idea is to use a jar (decorate it all you want-- the above is not mine -- I decorated mine with red ribbon!) and every time something good happens (big or small), write it down, and stick it in the jar. On New Year's Eve, review all the good things that have happened this year. Praise God for each thing as you jot it down, as well as when you reflect on them as you read them on New Year's Eve. So, although I started mine very late in the year, I knew God would do many great things before the end of the year. My jar is already pretty full. I am sure this will help me remember many things I might have otherwise forgotten! As full is my jar is from a few months, I can imagine how full it will be New Year's Eve 2016 (if Jesus tarries) when I have things in it from all year!
Let's make "thanksgiving" a way of life, not merely a holiday.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it :) Thank you to all my readers out there! God bless you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
In God's Crazy Love,
Rachel Marie
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