In the past recent weeks I have started a new habit each morning. Before my feet ever hit the floor and I get out of bed, I start thanking God for the blessings he has given me. It could be anything: my salvation, my health, my family, my home, or my job. I really do try to think of new things each morning and sometimes that can be difficult. Some mornings are harder for my brain to wake up and think clearly. I don’t want it to be a habit of the same old repetitive stuff, but be intentional about focusing in on all the many blessings I have, big or small. If you think about, we are all abundantly blessed by a loving God. Do we deserve the gifts he gives? I do not, but yet he continues to work good in my life.
Practicing gratitude has a significant impact on our lives if we will let it. I get it, it is hard to be grateful every single day. But when I put the effort in to intentionally focusing on having a thankful heart, it truly makes a difference in my outlook and how I approach each day. When I think back on all the blessings and gifts I have been given, it also serves as a reminder of where I have come from. How he has made a way when I couldn’t see one. How he brought me through hard seasons and my faith grew stronger for it. This helps fan the flame of hope I have inside. I know God is at work even if it is behind the scenes.
When we live with thankful hearts, that gratitude can ripple out and have a positive effect on those we engage with. We tend to be more kind and encouraging and let’s face it, the communities we live in are struggling right now. We need more of God’s love being shared. This world needs hope, not in humanity because we are fallen, but in the One who created it all.
When you have God in your life, you have HOPE. I have mentioned before how grace is a word that has become very significant to my Christian walk, but I will tell you hope isn’t too far behind. Oh the hope we can have because of Christ! It doesn’t matter how dark the storm clouds may be, we can always cling to the hope we have in HIM!
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20.
If you are in a season of hopelessness, I would encourage you to take time each day focusing on things you are grateful for. Maybe your season is so dark that you can only come up with one or two things the first few days but don’t give up on it. Continue each day by being intentional about reminding yourself of your blessings. Write them down if you need to. But I do think that after you get into a habit of doing this, you will start to see a change in your attitude and how your days progress. I dare say you may start to feel your hope being revived. You may find some joy rising back up in your heart. I pray you do. The hope we have in Christ is a gift in itself and it is one we should share with those around us.
Keep moving forward,
Hayley W
Unpolished & Imperfect 