Gratitude Isn't Complicated

Gratitude Isn’t Complicated

Gratitude Isn't Complicated

 

 

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous

 

What an amazing way to think about gratitude! Our prayer this entire month has been that you would arrive at the the end of our conversation with a new definition of gratitude and what it means to be thankful. Thanksgiving has come and gone but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pack away your thoughts of gratefulness.

 

As Kathryn Kilner showed us, gratitude is something we can incorporate into every day, with just a little discipline and time to focus on finding the beauty in each day. This takes the seasonality out of gratitude — a mistake we all tend to be guilty of — and helps us build our days on a foundation of finding the positive.

 

Then Kaitlin Arduino showed us another side of gratitude—the tough, painful, and draining side. There are times when gratitude seems like the most unnatural response, but it’s exactly those times when you need gratitude the most. Gratitude can either help you see or bring the beauty to any situation, even when it seems like an impossible task.

 

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” – Psalm 9:1  

 

Gratitude is simple yet so powerful. It’s an act that can bring joy in sadness. It can begin to bring healing when you’re at your lowest. It can recenter your chaotic life by redirecting your attention to the things that matter. Gratitude can come alongside you and help combat damaging emotions like fear, anger, and depression. It can help you let go of all the heavy useless things the world tells you are important, and replace them with pure rays of sunshine that can be found in the darkest of times.

 

Our charge to you: find something in each day to bring to God with thanksgiving in your heart. Don’t be shy about telling others what you’re grateful for; you may be the gratitude reminder someone desperately needs. When fatigue and anxiety threaten to overwhelm you (we know what the holidays can do!), just remember that as a child of God, you will always have something for which to be grateful. All you have to do is quiet your mind and open your heart.

 

 

Sign up to receive our Weekly Blog Email and get blogs like this delivered right to your inbox!

——