Attitude of Gratitude

Background Photo: KarlaStorey

As I head into the week of Thanksgiving, naturally gratitude is on my mind. And not for the usual reasons. Gratitude is on my mind because I have encountered so many who are hurting so badly the past few days. My heart aches for them. So many places and pieces only God can heal. But what I am seeing in addition to the obvious cause of the pain is the mental battle it is raging. As I sit quietly and pray about it, I sense God saying...Be Thankful. 

It may seem an odd and unhelpful response, but it is so powerful in its renewal potential. We need a renewal of the mind. We need a focus away from our pain and onto the Healer. And I get it, it is HARD to be thankful when you are drowning in sorrow, anxiety, depression, uncertainty. It isn't the natural response for sure. So, we have to be intentional about it.

What if from now until Thanksgiving, we commit to do the following...

• Start & end your day with Thanks. Set your alarm 5-10 minutes earlier each morning and pray. Ask God to renew your mind to an attitude of gratitude. Thank HIM for everything you can think of. Do the same at night before bed, and as often as you can in between.
• Gratitude Journal. Keep a journal nearby and constantly document things you are grateful for. Keep it on your kitchen counter and let the entire family write in it. Keep a journal in your purse. Keep a running list in the notes app on your phone. 
• Turn your "have-to's" into "get to's". "When you find yourself grumbling or feeling like you "have to" do something, immediately turn it around and thank God that you "get to" do that same thing. (I have to drive to the soccer field again...I get to take my child to a sport he loves and is healthy enough to play. I have to get groceries...I get to choose from 5 different grocery stores within 5 miles and I get to feed my family with good food. I have to get that report done...I get to work for an amazing company that treats me well.)
• Acts of Kindness. Do one random act of kindness each day. Tons of ideas are posted here. There is nothing more rewarding than serving others. It is a game-changer. 
• Gratitude Lock-Screen. Download a gratitude image and save it as the background/lock-screen for your phone. If you have an iPhone, save the image to your camera roll, then go to "settings", then "wallpaper", then "choose new wallpaper", then select the image from your camera roll, then select "set", and then "set both" (as home screen and lock screen). One that you can use is included below.

 
It is only five days...we can do anything for five days, right?!

​Who's in?

I will be praying for a renewed mind and soul. ​Comment if you are in and would like me to pray specifically for you as well.

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Click and save this photo as a background and lock screen for your phone. It will serve as a reminder to be thankful every time you open your phone.

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A portion of all KarlaStorey proceeds are donated to Feed My Starving Children! 

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