Choose- means to
make a choice. You have to make a choice to be thankful.
What have you given thanks for today? |
We have to sometimes CHOOSE
to be thankful. Being thankful does not come as easy when we are heart-broken,
despaired, overwhelmed or rejected. We have to CHOOSE
our attitudes otherwise we can slip into complaining, discouragement, and
eventually even depression. You might not
feel like giving thanks, but remember it’s a CHOICE!
Instead of giving thanks you may instead feel like calling your friends and
talking about all what is wrong in your life. Let me encourage you not to
complain about your circumstances, first it will overwhelm you, then exhaust
you and then cause you to feel sorry for yourself (self-pity). I am not telling
you anything I have not told myself countless times, and that I have to
practice continually; CHOOSING
to be thankful.
Being thankful is a choice. You can CHOOSE to be thankful or you can CHOOSE to be ungrateful. You may
not have the spouse you desire, children, a prodigal child, or you may even be
going through some sickness, but whatever season you are in you can be thankful
for the many blessings that you do have. It is really a conscious decision to
focus on what is a blessing verses focusing on what are your hardships and
trials. There is always something to be thankful for. Don’t get bitter by your
life’s challenges and struggles, but see the silver lining in each
circumstance. Being thankful and grateful will cause you to live with passion
and zest for life. When we CHOOSE
an attitude of gratitude our lives can be transformed and we can begin to have
renewed purpose. If you are grateful and thankful it is very likely you then
will be content. When you are content, you are then at peace with yourself and
with others. Having the ability to be thankful is life-changing.
I challenge you if you have struggled with being thankful to
say out loud everyday (5) things that you are thankful for. This task will
increase your gratitude and then your attitude. Don’t look at what you don’t
have, what you have not accomplished, your fears and failures, and all your
unmet desires. That type of thinking will weigh you down and cause you to have
an unthankful heart.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
I will give thanks due His
righteousness, and I will sing praises to the name of the Lord, the most high.
Psalm 7:17
In everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things He does for me. Psalm 103:2
Count your
BLESSINGS, name them one by one,
Count your
BLESSINGS, see what God has done!
BE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL this holiday season and COUNT
YOUR MANY BLESSINGS, ONE BY ONE!
If you need
encouragement, prayer, or support, you can contact me through my website@ www.christianhopecounseling.com
or send me an email@ Stephanie@christianhopecounseling.com