Are You Tapping Into the Power of Gratitude?

I was listening to KLRC earlier this week and they asked the question, “What have you learned about gratitude this year?” I’ve known for some time that gratitude is an important part of not only joyful, but successful living. Thankfully, gratitude has been an important part of my life, but this year I’ve had the chance to see the power in giving thanks for ALL things at a whole new level and realize I have an opportunity to grown in this area. Gratitude – yes, simply giving thanks – is one of the most powerful ways to turn difficult life experiences into awesome, unexpected blessings. Earlier this year, my friend, Stephanie Brown, inspired me to read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. This book powerfully shows that, even after a person has experienced great tragedy in her life, gratitude can transform the tragedy into blessings. It’s not that we can’t or shouldn’t grieve – that’s a part of life. But there’s a point where grieving can dig us into a pit of depression that seriously robs us of gifts in the present – gifts God intends for us and wants us to share with others. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I’ve seen how much my mindset impacts what I experience and what’s possible in my life. When I’m upset or angry, I can’t even begin to imagine what to do next. But when I finally change my mindset and look for the blessing in my disappointments, I always find more peace. And that leads to creative thinking and miracles I could not have planned. Looking back, I’ve gone through job loss and having no idea what I would do next. But when I gave thanks for what I had – the friends, support, the experiences that job provided – doors opened to new opportunities I had no idea existed and that were better than anything I could have dreamed up. When I’ve gone through financial hardships and chose to give thanks for what I had instead of focusing on the lack, unexpected resources have always shown up. And of course, one of the most difficult experiences I’ve been through, having my son move 1,100 miles away, has turned into miracles that have brought blessing on top of blessing into my life. I’m so grateful for the life I have today as a result! Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We show our love for God by giving thanks, even in hard times, and trusting Him to use our hard times for good. So much of the good that has come from the hardest times of my life has been the ability to minister to and support others going through similar difficult times. Being able to support others has been an incredible blessing for which I’m very thankful. Philippians 4:6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” A peaceful and thankful heart helps us stay connected to God, our one true source of power. As Ann Voskamp shares in her book, giving thanks precedes the miracles that God wants to bring into our lives to fulfill His purposes through us. Dr. Gary Oliver put it this way, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more than enough. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. Gratitude turns problems into gifts. It turns failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a new vision for tomorrow.” Have you dared to unlock the power of gratitude in your life?