Last week, we talked about needing to think about what we think about. And every behavior is based on a belief. So, how do we maintain joy when we go through a season of great change and stress?
We do it by developing the habit of thanking for all that’s good, despite all that’s bad. This means that we should develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. It doesn’t mean that we have to be thankful for everything that happens to us, especially the bad things like being laid off or cancer or car accidents. We don’t have to be thankful for all the evil in the world.
But every time we take a minute to express gratitude about anything—it could be our favorite music or nature spot—it helps refill our empty emotional tank so we can move forward in life. Choosing to be thankful is for our own good; it keeps us from getting bitter and helps us make it to the finish line.
Being grateful is easy when our emotional tank is full and things are going great in our lives. It’s much harder to find something to be thankful for when we’re facing a crisis or prolonged chronic stress. But that’s when we need to express gratitude the most.
One of the most practical yet powerful habits we can develop is to make a daily gratitude list. Just sit down for five minutes each day and ask ourselves, “What am I grateful for?” It’s a habit that will strengthen our souls and keep us going when we feel like giving up.
So, if you want to maintain joy, give thanks in all circumstances, even in our darkest moments.
Let’s put that into practice by pondering the following questions:
- What does having a grateful attitude reveal about your belief?
- What are some things you might take for granted that you can start thanking today?
- When has an attitude of gratitude given you the strength to get through a hard time?
I’d love to hear your experience. Leave me a reply below and let me know your thoughts.
Excerpt taken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.