An attitude of gratitude is especially unique and powerful because it changes other attitudes.
When you are thankful, you are less grumpy. When you are thankful, you aren’t as overwhelmed. When you are thankful, you are humble. When you are thankful, you are more likely to understand the needs of others.
And God says you can always be thankful for something. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
So here is a spiritual discipline I’ve been working on. Giving thanks for 5 specific things every morning as I start my day. As a child of my heavenly Father, and a follower of my Savior Jesus Christ, and a living residence of the Holy Spirit, it’s a thrill to look at my agenda for each day through the lens of thanksgiving.
For example, I’m much less irritable driving in traffic when I’m thankful for my truck that is still running at 276,000 miles, is paid for, and runs well even though it leaks oil.
You will be more patient with people at work or in your family when you have given thanks that morning for a job, or a caring home.
I’ve challenged our CrossLife Church family to take up this daily practice of 5 Thanks. Would you be interested? Please reply if so, and I’ll pray for you.
PRAYER: Thank you, God, for blessing me in so many ways that I can’t even count them all. I can truly give thanks in all circumstances, because your promises remain true through them all. Thanks and praise to you, God! Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Make a mental list of 5 blessings in your life for which you are thankful today. More importantly, do the same thing tomorrow, but thank God for 5 different blessings. Keep doing this, and see how it opens your eyes to the works of God.