“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” Melody Beattie
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Obdurate: “resistant to persuasion or softening of influences” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
What happens when we don’t feel gratitude? What happens when everything we have is earned? Is deserved? Is expected? Gratitude gives us the ability to appreciate the blessings we enjoy. Gratitude is often the source of happiness we experience during life’s good moments. And it’s the source of joy at being grateful to a loving God. Without gratitude we lose everything there is to be grateful for. Without gratitude we forfeit or blessings. No, we may not physically lose our house, our car, or our family. But what’s the difference? If we aren’t grateful for something, is there a point in having it? The answer to that question is, yes. When’s the last time you were grateful for socks. Maybe it was recently for you, I don’t know. My point is, there are lots of things that we take for granted. That we forget to be grateful for. That we forget even exist. Things that are important to our lives and would be missed and desired if gone. Maybe we have forgotten to be thankful for the home our wife has created. Or the income our husband works for. Maybe we’ve forgotten that everything we have is a blessing. That there is so much to be grateful for. And maybe we’ve forgotten to be thankful for a loving God. A God who sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we can be with Him. If we’ve forgotten our gratitude, I pray that we find it again. If we haven’t been able to count our blessings in a while, I pray that they would become known once again. And if it’s been too long since we’ve allowed the love of Christ in our hearts, I pray that we find the strength to put aside our pride and obdurateness and ask Him in. His love is unmerited, unearned, and unbelievable. If there is one thing we can all agree is worth our gratitude, it’s the cross.
Daily Journaling Questions:
1. How did I help someone in kindness today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. What am I thankful for?
4. Who did I love today?
5. What am I dreaming of?
6. What about today do I want to remember forever?
7. What are my goals for tomorrow?
Thanks for reading,
Jake
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Daily Self Growth Journal Pt. IV
Non-FictionThis is the fourth part of a project called the "Daily Self Growth Journal." Its purpose is to prompt readers to journal through encouragement, motivation, and inspiration. In it, the first thing I do is provide a motivational, or inspirational qu...
