An Attitude of Gratitude

Credit: Ann Voskamp

It seems that every so often we need to press the reset button. Our default attitude, and reaction to the circumstances of life, is usually to worry. It is for me. I do not need to work very hard to produce worry. It is just there, ready and waiting for an opportunity to exhibit it's emotions. And these emotions soon spiral out of control.

Maybe we need to learn to make the practice of pressing the "reset" or "refresh" button when this happens. When our emotions begin spiraling out of control, consumed with worry, then it is time to stop, to pause, and to press "refresh". And we need to remember ...

"Gratitude is not only a response to God in good times ... 

it's ultimately the very will of God in hard times." 

(Ann Voskamp)

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you

who belong to Christ Jesus.

(I Thess. 5:18 NLT)

It is very difficult for worry and giving thanks to exist at the same time. It seems that either the one, or the other will dominate our thoughts. 

It takes a training of our minds to move from an attitude of worry to an attitude of gratitude ... it takes a practice of pressing the "reset" button when we find ourselves consumed with worry.

And how can we refresh, reset, and change our perspective? It is so difficult, and it is so simple ...  

     Ask God for His help, for His perspective ...

     Read His Words, letting Him transform our minds ...

     Slow ourselves, pause, look up ...

     Look around, giving thanks for the situation ... 

     Ask God to use our situation to develop His character in us  ...

     Pray for the situation, the person, whatever causes us worry ...

     Remember how He has been faithful in the past ...

     Thank Him for His faithfulness in the past, and again, in the present ...

     Let His Words and His perspective soak deeply into our hearts and our minds.

Be transformed by the renewing

of your mind ...

(From Romans 12:2 NIV)

I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.

I will be filled with joy because of You.

I will sing praises to Your Name,

O Most High.

(Psalm 9:1-2 NLT)

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Sharing these thoughts today, as I needed to refresh and reset my own mind, needing a change from an attitude of worry to an attitude of gratitude. Thanking God for hearing my prayer for help, and for filling my heart and mind with thanks.