It started as a celebration of good harvest and it’s turned into a national holiday of turkey, football and thankfulness. Although gratitude may be flowing this Thanksgiving, the other 364 days of the year it sometimes feels like there is a heftier serving of complaining than a spirit of gratitude. To combat this negativity, I made a list of all the things at I’ve griped about in the past year. And I waited. I listened. And here’s what God revealed to me.
When my house feels messy and unkempt, I’m thankful that my home is in heaven.
When I feel my voice is too small, I am thankful that the energy of Christ is working in me. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave burns like a fire inside of me.
When I feel like I’m failing as a mom, I’m thankful God chose me to be a momma to my sweet baby girl. He appointed me.
When I don’t measure up, I’m thankful I have been saved, not by works, but grace.
When my heart aches for the poor, the powerless and the outcast, I am thankful that one day they will be in the presence of their creator and they will know just how loved they are.
When my mind wanders and my worries consume my thoughts, I’m thankful God reminds me to cast my anxieties to him, because He cares for me.
When I raise my voice at my husband, or I say things that I wish I could take back, I’m thankful for the cross. I’m thankful that my sin is paid for.
When I’m overcome with exhaustion, I am thankful that He gives me rest. He gives me strength.
When I don’t have the words, I’m thankful He already knows my needs.
When I feel unnoticed or insignificant, I’m thankful that the God of the universe formed me in my mother’s womb. He has singled me out as supremely important. I’m made in His image.
When my jeans are too tight, my skin is less than flawless, and my hair is unkempt, I’m thankful that God gave me my able, healthy, complex body to carry on His work.
When I’m unsure of my future, I’m thankful that he planned my earthly existence before I was born.
When the words people have spoken have left deep wounds, I’m thankful that God praises me. He tells me I’m fearfully and wonderfully made.
When I feel that I’m not living up to my Christian expectations, when my Bible is a little dusty and I fall asleep before I even lift up a prayer, I’m thankful that there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less. He welcomes me with open arms. He’s a safe place, every single time.
When I worry about my daughter growing up in a world flooded with evil and hatred, I’m thankful that God’s angel armies are always by her side.
When it feels like there is more divide in this world than unity, I’m thankful that we are all united as citizens of heaven.
When the answer seems unclear, I am thankful for the word of God that feeds my soul with truth.
When my earthly flesh is consumed with negativity and complaining, I choose to have a heart of thankfulness for God, the giver of all good gifts. For every good and perfect gift is from above. I believe there is power in gratitude—the enemy flees. The forces of darkness can’t stand up to hearts that give thanks and honor to God.