We’ve talked a lot lately about rest, contentment, peace, slowing down, etc. It is something that seems to be a common thing in my life as I learn what that even means, how poorly I have done it throughout my life, and what it truly looks like to live it out. As I have been reading through many of your entries for the various challenges and lessons it seems that it also is a common theme for all of us.

Another aspect that builds on this is joy. I’m sure we’ve all heard sermons on it. I’m sure you’ve read it in many of these lessons as the goal of why we do many of the things we’ve done. Rest, contentment, peace, remembering miracles. All these things are things that lead us to joy. 

How often are we looking at life positively? How often are we dreading tomorrow, or dreading the week starting or maybe dreading the event we are going to? Do you take time to find the good? Or do you find yourself dwelling in the negatives?

We all know that we should be joyful, yet we find ourselves lost in the feeling of being overwhelmed, or sad, or angry, or any other emotion we find ourselves lost in and we forget the goodness that there is. We forget the blessings that God has given us and we forget that we are blessed with each day.

God has blessed each one of us with some amazing things in our lives. In fact, a few weeks ago we stopped to look back on the moments God came through in our lives. Even further back, we talked about praising him and worshiping him for his goodness and his mercy. But how often are we thanking him just in the little things? 

If you are anything like me, the idea of gratitude and giving thanks to God can become meaningless. It becomes Christianese (something we all say and talk about but we don’t actually get it or we don’t actually live it out). To me it became something that old people talk about a lot and they don’t get how hard or overwhelming MY life is. To me, it started to feel fake. Like it’s just something people do because they have to.

That is simply not the case. Countless studies have been done and research has been found, even from unbelievers, that gratitude and being thankful drastically increases someone’s quality of life. The bible talks about the idea of gratitude, giving thanks, and rejoicing all the time. 

Galatians 5:22

John 15:11

Philippians 4:4-7

John 16:24

Proverbs 17:22

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Romans 14:17

Psalm 118:24

Psalm 9:2

Romans 15:13

Choose a few of these verses and go read what God says about rejoicing, giving thanks, and gratitude. 

Particularly, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is what I want to focus on. 

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

God has called us to find the good. To focus on the positive, to rejoice above whatever circumstances may come our way.

It may feel cringy or silly or pointless. But truly giving thanks to God and being grateful is something that leads to joy. It forces our minds to shift to positive thinking and it constantly reminds us that there is goodness to be found. That there is a reason to be joyful. It is a tangible way where we can refocus on the glory of God and dig ourselves out of a negative headspace.

To me, it’s one of those things God tells us to do that I can feel like is stupid or it isn’t really going to help anything. Then I do it and realize how much lighter I feel and how much more joyful I truly am.

Challenge:

Each morning this week, before you leave for school or whatever you are doing to start your day, write down (or take a note on your phone) three things you are thankful for.

It can be simple like family, house, friends, food. Or something more specific like a situation that was encouraging or something God has done for you in your life. 

It must be different things each day though. Don’t use the same three everyday.

Then, at the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on your day. Write down at least one thing that specifically happened in your day that you were grateful for or were blessed by.

Note:

I know this sounds silly and it might feel pointless, but I promise you if you take a moment to take it seriously and not just write something down to complete the challenge, it will start to brighten your mood and start to rejuvenate more joy.