Be thankful: #1


Every night before I go to sleep I write in my journal all those things that I am most thankful for. 

They may not be significant to others.  They are often small and in our busy lives, they can be easily missed. Even on a bad day, there is ALWAYS something to smile at, to be grateful about, to thank the Lord for, so why don't we? 

But what is most important, we are to be thankful in ALL circumstances, no matter what trials we face. Thankfulness should be a way of life, naturally part of our daily being. Writing down what I am thankful for should come with ease, I should never need to look for things to be thankful for, sadly, we often do.  If Paul could find reasons to be thankful for when he was being persecuted we should find it very easy. And remember that Peter found reasons to be thankful even during times of hardship: 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
(1 Peter 1:6-7)

Here are a few things from my list.
I am thankful for:

  • The lovely meals my husband has cooked for me this month - I feel very spoilt. 
  • The welcoming rains that have made the garden flourish and turned the countryside turn green.
  • Being able to spend time with my eldest son and enjoying morning tea together.
  • Working with a lovely and caring bunch of people and having a boss that is so understanding.
  • Being able to talk to my dad during the week to cheer up his day. 
  • Lying in bed and listening to the sound of rain. 
  • Hearing the birds sing in the trees outside my window.
  • The gentle breeze on a summers evening.
  • Having a roof over my head and being able to pay the bills when they arrive each month.
  • Having wonderful supportive family and extended family that all walk with Christ.
  • The strength and courage that God gives me daily to get through my day.
  • Being able to laugh and smile today.
  • Finding bargains that help the budget.
  • A week gone smoothly. Praise the Lord.
  • Being able to read the Bible daily. Being able to have a bible unlike those Christians in some countries.
  • My son slowly improving (with less dramas) and the Lord giving me the strength I need to look after him. 
  • The Lord looking after my children - watching over them, especially my youngest with his depression. 
  • The wind that dried the towels on this cool day. 
  • Clean water. A place to store our food and a roof over our head. 
  • Whilst I don't like waking up early in the morning, I was so blessed to see the wonderful full moon in the sky before the sun rose for the day. It was such a beautiful sight created by God as I drove to work. 
  • After reading a book about Rwanda, I am very thankful that I live in a peaceful country with a stable government. We don't realise who blessed we truly are. 

In every thing give thanks; 
for this is the will of God in 
Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Comments

  1. There is much more for us to be thankful in life than there is to complain about. The problem is that the things we like to complain about often seem bigger than they really are, especially when we look back on them after they are over (we often make mountains out of molehills!!). But we are human and that makes us focus on the bad and not the good - it's important for us to train our mind to take note of the good things, the things that make us happy and help us to see God's blessings.
    As you said, it is easier to be thankful for the good things, but the Bible tells us to be thankful for EVERYTHING - even the bad things. And thinking of ways to be thankful for the bad things is what really stretches me - it's no good to lie about being thankful for bad things, we must be truly thankful for them because God sees our hearts, not just our words!
    Reminders to be thankful are always good - thank you, Jo, for the reminder. :)

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    1. I have just had a pretty poor 24 hours but I have been reflecting on the positive side of things and I can find many - you just need to look. Once upon a time I would have been so down in the dumps, but looking for those things to be thankful for does pull you out of that state of mind to remembering the Lord and what He has done.

      And you are right - you do need to train your mind to do this. And as for not being honest, I would prefer to only write one thing than "make up" things as I am only lying to myself and God and that is all a bit silly and wrong!!

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  2. There really is so much that I am thankful for. Sometimes...I forget to just say thank you Lord. I believe he knows that I am thankful even when I forget to say it. I enjoyed reading this post.

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    1. This is why I have started a "thankfulness" section in my daily journal (at the back) so each day I write all the things that I am thankful for, on a bad day, it really does make a differences. its a great habit to get into.

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  3. Being thankful is so important. I tire when I hear people moaning about things so much, being so ungrateful for the life they lead. I find it even worse when they moan about money going to charities that help people in deprived countries. I remind them that they should be thankful to be born into a country that will support them when they need a home for their family and when they need a doctor they can just pick up a phone. Be thankful to have that phone, to have the clothes on your back.
    I have always been thankful just for the life I lead, that even when there is little or no money there is always something to eat even if it is beans on toast or packet noodles. That my children have doctors and dentists, that they have education and free will.
    I love this post and I wish more people could read it because it is so true. I thank the Lord every day that I am who I am and for blessing me no matter what x

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    1. Hi Emma, we live in an age were people complain. Yesterday it was raining, rained all day. Someone came up to me and groaned about the rain. I said "I love this weather", they thought I was weird. I said it was perfect for being indoors doing things. People don't look for the pleasure and joy in life, they just complain for no reason at all. Whilst I have really bad days (last Wednesday was one of them), I could still write down a list of things I was joyful about and that made the day much better.

      Have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Hi Jo,
    I didn't know I would be back so soon. I thank God every day. Sometimes I feel that I don't thank him enough. This post really blessed me. I also wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award. If you would like to know more about it...then you can visit my blog. http://www.thedecoratoraholic.com/. Again, thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Thankyou so much for the award:))) It was very kind of you to think of me.

      Have a lovely weekend.

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  5. Hi Jo,
    Thanks for this lovely reminder to be grateful! You are so right - we often feel 'hard done by' and yet forget that we have it so easy here :-)

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