The Choice of a Grateful Heart

From The Voices and The Choices by Roxanne Parks on YouVersion

I have truly lived realizing the transforming power of a grateful heart. It is my greatest anti-depressant as I have learned that a grateful heart and an anxious heart cannot reside in the same person. Gratitude has been one of the most significant “game-changers” for my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice  always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will  for you in Christ Jesus.

I started a gratitude journal years ago when I was drowning, feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and depressed. With time and consistency, it changed the course of my days and brought my joy back. This was a choice I made. You can make this choice too! You need to make this choice too!

Psalms 9:1 – I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous works.

There is so much research about the impact of gratitude on our brain activity and wellness. This is a topic worth researching yourself but let me just share a few things with you here.

I believe that the Word commands us to “give thanks in all things” (not for all things) as a drawing card to a deeper place of intimacy and trust. However, at face value, even outside of scripture there are many quotes that teach the power of gratitude. Here are a few for you to ponder:

• “The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” ― Brother David Steindl-Ras
• “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous
• “It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• “The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” – Mary Davis
• “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” – Brene Brown

1 Chronicles 16:34 – Give thanks to the  Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. 

Besides the power of these quotes, I treasure even more the scripture that tells me that it is God’s will for me to be thankful. I know that obedience is rewarded. Gratitude opens our eyes to His blessings. The transforming power of gratitude in my life led to a return of my joy, happiness and peace. I found a rich calmness to a life lived in gratitude. Join me on this power-filled journey!

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name  of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ponder:

How can I develop a greater heart of gratitude? What keeps me from being grateful? Do I need to start a gratitude journal today?

Prayer:

O Lord, help me to be truly grateful. Open my eyes to see all the blessings that You have given me.