“Today sucked.” A phrase I have often used in the past when on the phone with my mother.
I think this phrase was most commonly used throughout my years of schooling (and even sometimes now while I’m finishing up my master’s degree).
These phone calls usually take place at the end of the day, after I’ve had time to put on some comfy clothes and crawl into bed.
Now, I truly believe everyone is more dramatic at night.
The day has had time to catch up to you, and we often make the choice to sit in the parts we felt went wrong.
This was what a heavy amount of my days looked from high school through mid-year 2023.
I distinctly remember an evening last year when in my bed, replayed the day back in my head, and inwardly complained about how terrible it had gone.
Was it actually a terrible day? Not at all. In fact, it was probably a great day.
Did I choose to focus on the minuscule negative things rather the many positive things? Absolutely.
This was a time in my life where I had been seeking ways to see Jesus more, and it was in this moment that I felt the conviction of Jesus stronger than I had felt it yet.
It was if the Lord spoke and said,
“Why must you take attention away from the blessings I showered you with all day?”
Ouch.
Now, I knew this was Jesus, as I didn’t feel shame, but I felt a call to change. (Shame is from Satan, conviction is from God).
So, in that moment, I decided to stop focusing on the very few things that (sort of) went wrong in my day, and I began to reflect on my day from top to bottom.
I woke up.
I showered in hot water.
I put on suitable clothes.
My car started.
I left my safe shelter of a home.
I arrived at my place of employment.
I enjoyed being around my coworkers.
My coworkers enjoyed being around me.
I had lunch.
The list goes on in on- and it goes on in more depth and in detail to my life.
I realized how often I forgot the mundane blessings for life; these being the things that happened every day but not everyone has the pleasure of experiencing.
I then went on to think of the more detailed things, in relation to my family life, relationship, friendships, and more.
I had so much to thank God for, but instead I had wasted my thoughts and time on focusing on the things I thought should be better.
This started a lifestyle change, and it was something that actually projected my relationship with God forward into growth and closeness.
Since then, I have ended each day with a time of gratitude (though, of course, I do forget from time to time).
Why, you might ask?
While this logistically makes sense to do, as I’ve seen its affects (believer or not).. for believers, it’s also a commandment from God.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:161-8
This isn’t something that comes easy.
Some of my most frustrating moments came from me not desiring to see the blessings amongst the hardship or confusion in seasons of my life.
But in both good and bad, we are called to rejoice, pray, and offer thanks to God.
Now, if you’ve kept up with my blogs for a while, this might seem familiar; but I think it’s so important to remind ourselves the ways in which gratitude and thankfulness benefits our relationship with Christ.
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A thankful heart acknowledges our need for Jesus.
“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:10
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
We must acknowledge the truth found in both scriptures.
The old song that some of us used to sing in Sunday School as kids still reigns true in every season of life: “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”
When we begin to register that God is the author of all the things we have to be grateful for, we can then see the need we have for Him.
When we endure hardships, we have the choice to either carry it alone, or we can surrender our pain and grief to the One who has felt it most.
When we make the choice to practice gratitude rather than a bad attitude, we see our need for Jesus around us.
Through this, we have the opportunity to surrender control to King Jesus.
In doing so, we will also more prominently recognize His grace towards us.
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A thankful heart helps us keep our eyes on Jesus.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."
Psalm 121:1-4
After this acknowledgement of our need for Christ, we then can see the importance for our eyes to be continually lifted to Him.
Jesus is the source of our help. He will direct our steps as long as we look to Him for such guidance.
When we thank the Lord, we remember who is always good and who always sustains us in times of trouble and need but also in times of joy and celebration.
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A thankful heart changes our perspective and reminds us of the blessings of life.
It eliminates negativity and complaining.
Gratitude redirects our mindset.
In our flesh, we usually divert to seeing what is wrong or could be better in our lives. But, when we walk in the Spirit and cultivate a grateful heart, we have no choice but to be positive and notice the blessings that life still has to offer us.
In all circumstances, even when it feels life is drowning us with the worst things possible, we still have the best thing- the gift of Jesus Christ.
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A thankful heart welcomes God’s presence into every moment of our lives.
Knowing the benefits of thankfulness, we can now see one of the best— the invitation for Christ to dwell in every moment.
When our minds are set on thankfulness to Jesus for all of His many gifts, we will find ourselves ushering Him into every single moment of our lives.
We will see ourselves welcoming Him in to celebrate the good things with us, but we will also see us welcoming Him into the deepest and darkest parts of our lives.
When we invite Him to be a part of those things, we are allowing Him to comfort and guide us into our next steps.
Now friends, don’t let me fool you, Christ is always here. He surrounds us at every moment.
But, there is such a beauty found in the willingness to let Christ work instead of pushing forward in selfish ambition.
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The act of gratitude leads to joy, contentment, peace, forgiveness, and compassion.
These characteristics not only affect your own life, but the lives of those around you.
Now, I hope you do not read this and hear that me say I am the most thankful person and that I have it all together.
I in fact- do not.
In all honesty, there have been many times I’ve had to stop myself in the middle of a conversation with a friend by saying “I’m complaining, let me stop.”
I am not perfect.
But, I acknowledge this greater calling God has on my life (and yours) for expressing gratitude.
He is worthy, is He not?
I invite you to step into this calling of thankfulness with me.
Songs for reflection, prayer, and singing:
“This is How I Thank the Lord” - Mosaic MSC
“Gratitude” - Brandon Lake
“Blessings Everywhere” – Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake
“Jesus Thank You” - Sovereign Grace Music
“Mercy” - Maverick City Music, Elevation Worship
“Thankful” – Verses
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