Joy in Gratitude

 

    To have joy you need to have gratitude.  Gratitude is appreciation for what God has given you.  It is a force that draws people in.  It makes enduring aspects of life easier.  It all starts with thoughts of appreciation.  Don't focus on what is absent in your life.  Trust that God will give you everything you need.  If you don't have it, then now is not the time or it is something you don't really need.

    Gratitude is a choice in how you focus your attention.  It can take a turbulent mind and make it peaceful.  People will annoy you, but instead of focusing on what annoys you focus on why you love them.  When life is hard financially focus on what you have instead of what you can't get right now.  Live in the present not the past.  Practice praise and thanksgiving instead of complaining.

    Anyone can learn gratitude and cultivate it over time.  You just have to be intentional with your choices, directing your feelings, and growing your capacity.  Gratitude is a choice of focusing on your blessings instead of shortcomings.  It makes life feel abundant.  Gratitude is a feeling that develops through appreciation.  Gratitude is a learned skill of creating value in routine situations and relationships.

    No matter how bad life gets, you can still have gratitude.  If you hold onto your gratitude, then you will have joy.  You are more open to see God's grace in the situation and accept that He is there with you in the situation.  

    Express your gratitude through how you speak, confident attitude, and actions.  You know this by what your family, friends, and coworkers say about you.  Do you stand out as grateful or miserable?  Or are you just a wall flower?  Don't take God's blessings for granted.  Appreciate them in the moment.  Today write out a list of everything you are grateful for.  When hiccups happen throughout the day, pull out your list and review it or add to it.

Psalm 100, 1 Corinthians 4:14-16, Philippians 4:4-7, Colossians 2:6-7, 3:12-17, 4:2-6, & James 1:16-18