There are times in our lives when we live fully aware of God’s goodness to us, and gratitude comes naturally. But that’s not always the case, is it? Perhaps you are in a place where you are feeling the valid pain of unmet desires. Our focus can drift to what we do not have, and gratitude can only happen by choice. Rather than a trite, “Count your blessings one by one” platitude, scripture calls us to look for the goodness of God by faith when it may not be apparent by sight.
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
Do you see the choice the psalmist is making? If we believe we will see God’s goodness, we will actually search for it. When we search for it, we’ll find it. And we will be grateful. The practice of gratitude informs the way we view life because it actually shapes our brain and rescues us from despair. This holiday week, no matter your circumstances, it is possible to choose thanksgiving as you make the conscious choice to look for the goodness of God in your life.
By the way, we are very thankful for you! To show our appreciation, here is a free resource on the Power of Personal Transformation, a recent talk I gave that encourages us to take a vulnerable look at our hearts in the presence of our Father who not only loves us, but has the power to change us. Feel free to share this talk with others!
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Click HERE to listen to Julie’s recent talk – “The Power of Personal Transformation”