Praise + Gratitude = Joy & Happiness

Day 7: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Having a heart and mindset of thankfulness is so very important. This verse instructs us to be thankful in all circumstances, because this is the will of God.

Can I be totally honest with you?

I have to actively work at applying this verse to my life, because being thankful in EVERY situation doesn’t come naturally. It can be very challenging for me to see the good amidst my struggles. BUT because I desire to live in God’s will and I want to be obedient, I’m trying very hard to realign my thoughts.

Why is it easier to focus on the bad verses the good??

Because we have an enemy amongst us, and he is determined to steal, kill, and destroy our joy and happiness. He wants us to live outside of God’s will. He wants our focus on the negative and not the positive. We must remember that there is always something to be thankful for.

It’s so easy to over look God’s blessings in our lives, because we become accustomed to them. It’s also easy to get stuck in the comparison trap, never feeling content with what we have, but always longing for more. By remembering to give thanks for the small blessings, the big blessings, and the people who make our lives special, we cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Ungratefulness and complaining smothers the Spirit and limits our faith, but gratitude allows us to walk in God’s will, leading to joy and happiness within our lives.

By no means am I trying to down play the battles and storms we face. Life can be extremely hard, but I am encouraging you to do your best to be thankful in struggle, because I know obedience has the ability to unleash blessings, strength, and power in our lives. When you are fighting a battle or moving through a storm these things can make all the difference!

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude!

Be thankful and say so!

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