Do you struggle with finding gratitude in the daily hustle?
Most people would say no. Until they find themselves saying something like this:
I’m thankful for this meal, but it could have used a little more seasoning. I love my job, however, the people I work with get on my nerves. I’m not complaining; just saying.
Really?
That sounds like complaining to us. But don’t feel bad, we all do this, and it’s something we can overcome. That is, if we’re willing to change our perspective.
Gratitude Creates A Spirit Of Thankfulness
When we are grateful for: the people in our lives, thing’s God has blessed us with, or the circumstances we find ourselves in; it creates a spirit of thankfulness within us.
However, when we pick apart, the family and friends who are beside us, find discontent with the things we have, or find fault with our circumstances, it creates a spirit of discontent.
What’s amazing about being grateful is that things in our life don’t have to change, for us to be grateful. We can simply change our perspective by finding gratitude in our present circumstance whatever they may be. As a result, we will live a life with thankfulness.
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Gratitude In The Mundane Things
Many of us dread doing laundry every week. Well, instead of dreading the laundry, how about while you’re folding the clothes, you thank God for the clothes you have. How about thanking God for your family who is alive and well for you to do laundry for?
What about cleaning the house? We don’t think there’s a single person who finds joy in cleaning the toilets, but when we change our perspective and choose to thank God for providing a roof over our heads, and not living on the streets; then we will gladly clean the toilet.
What about having to get up every day and go to work. Sure, we would all like to pursue our dreams, hit the lotto, or retire. But instead of complaining that you have to get up and go to work, thank God that you have a job, and you are not unemployed.
Finding gratitude in even the mundane things is life, is what will give you joy in doing what you have to do, until you are able to do what you want to do.
In The End
God’s will for our life is to be thankful in any and every circumstance.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
And that thankfulness comes from sincere place of gratefulness. In which, that gratefulness precedes gratitude that we find in every area of our life.
Sure, we may have challenges with those we love; we may desire to live better and do better. But the truth is, God gives us more when we prove to Him that we are faithful and grateful with where He has us.
If we can’t be grateful in our small house, how are we going to be grateful living in a larger house with larger expenses?
In the hustle of your everyday life, what areas can you change your prescriptive to find gratitude?
~ André and Timberley Gray
Praise God, great message Pastors! I have been growing a little weary with present circumstances, I needed to hear this again.
Much Love
Ron Coldren
Hey brother Ron, thank you! Our mentor use to tell us that our faith has to be renewed everyday just like combing our hair. So we are glad this post helped strengthened you during this season. Do not grow weary for in due season you will reap a harvest if you faint not. ~ Blessings
Over the past few months, I had found myself picking at little things that I wanted to change in my children and my husband. I realized this was getting out of hand and I really wanted it to stop, so I asked the Lord what to do. I believe he told me to begin a page for each of my family members to write things I’m grateful for about them. I also felt led to write them a note each day telling them why I am grateful for them. Doing these things has begun to change my perspective in a big way! Thanks for the reminder that gratitude is something I shouldn’t give up.
Hi Rosanna! What a great idea the Lord gave you in regards to writing down your gratitude for your family. We use a gratitude jar in the kitchen so that anyone can write down what they’re grateful for and place it in the jar. At the end of the year we will sit around and read what we all wrote. Just another way of remembering what God has done. Thank you for sharing. ~ Blessings
This is a really good idea. Thank you Jesus and thank you for this!
This is something I find myself in constant need of reminding. Graditude is hard work, but is truely where abundant life is. Great post!
Thank you Jessica for reading. You are so right it’s hard work, but when we live with in the mindset of gratitude, we will see abundance in everything.
So so so important to find thankfulness in it all! I love the 1 Thess verse too 🙂
Amen Caroline and thank you for reading this post. I love that verse too!
Thank you for the reminder of being thankful in our daily lives. These examples really hit home. I was just complaining about doing the laundry for 8 people and how much I can’t stand it. This morning I thanked God for waking me up and my job but in the same sentence said “even though I wish I was home with my kids today”, I should have stopped at thank you God that I have a great job to go to today.
Your reminder is an awesome work of God and I am thankful for you both today.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Valerie! So glad God met you right where you were today. ~ Blessings