Thank God it’s Friday! Praise the Lord! If you are reading this right now, guess what? God has carried you through the week, and that in and of itself is a blessing. Despite any of the trials, tribulations, or circumstances of life, we are alive and breathing.

With each new day, I thank God, not just on Fridays (although Fridays really are great).

I thank God, because without Him I would be nothing.
I thank God, for He so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
I thank God, for the clothes on my back, and the roof over my head.
I thank God, for the food in the fridge.
I thank God, because I recognize that I may not have all that I want, but I have all that I need.
I thank God, for He truly cares for me.
I thank God, that He gives me gifts, talents and treasures to share with and serve others.
When I operate in an attitude of gratitude, living gratefully, I have more joy in my life. I have more peace. I have hope – the hope of glory.
Do not get me wrong, it is difficult at times. But as my Pastor says, when we have “stinking thinking” we must change our focus, shift our perspective.
There are two simple practices that I want to share with you today that help me in living gratefully. When I encounter a situation that is upsetting, painful, frustrating, or what have you, instead of going down the rabbit hole of negative thoughts I first, take a few deep breaths. Then I list either in my head or aloud at least 5 things that I am grateful for and can thank God for (like some of those listed above).
The other practice that I appreciate is doing an A to Z gratitude list – this can benefit our physical and mental health, and assist us in living gratefully. This list can be composed of people, places, favorite items, foods or hobbies, whatever comes to mind as you go through each letter of the alphabet!
For example:
A – Art, and the power of expression
B – Butterflies
C – Coffee
D – Deliverance
So today, I encourage you to take up a practice of gratitude, whether it is one of the two I mentioned, or one of your own.
May you “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18b-20). Amen!
Let us know how you embrace living gratefully in the comments below!