I Choose Gratitude

There are plenty of emotions I can choose to focus on each day while navigating this life as a solo parent.  I could be angry at God for not healing Tim on this earth.  I could be bitter, frustrated and flustered by the inconvenience of doing this life we had planned out together by myself now.  The world would certainly understand and might even encourage these attitudes; but as Christians, God calls us to something greater.

He calls us to be greater in our weaknesses by surrendering to His power.

Finally, be strong in the Lord 

and in the strength of his might.  Ephesians 6:10

Because the One who is in you 

is greater than the one who is in the world.  1 John 4:4

He calls us to experience greater things through new life in Him.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me 

will do the works I have been doing, 

and they will do even greater things than these, 

because I am going to the Father.  John 14:12

He calls us into the greatest love relationship; a personal bond with Him that can never be broken.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Romans 8:37-39

When we are focused on surrendering to His power, experiencing life with His eternal perspective and being overwhelmed by His great love…there isn't much room left in us to be angry.  

Instead, what begins to bubble up 

from deep within our souls is gratitude!

I am not implying gratitude comes naturally during tragic times; but I am absolutely saying that when we place our priorities where they should be…gratitude happens.  No matter what situation we find ourselves in.  We can’t control all of the devastating things that bombard us in this life; but we can choose how we respond.

If this is hard for you to wrap your brain around at first, start by reviewing these steps.

Surrender yourself and your situation to Jesus.

Make a conscience decision to do something that honors God.

Spend time in prayer, meditating on His great love for you.

Next, choose something to be grateful for.

(Hint: An obvious start is being grateful 

that nothing can separate us from the love of God.)

I know first-hand; God will fulfill His promise to bring peace into your soul and joy into your heart when you choose gratitude!

A cheerful heart is good medicine.  Proverbs 17:22

A happy heart makes a face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13