HAPPY DECEMBER, FRIENDS!
As the year comes to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by.
Reflecting on the past year, it is evident that my family has experienced a whirlwind of events and emotions. From health struggles to academic achievements, from personal growth to community losses, the year has been filled with ups and downs that have shaped and challenged us in unique ways. However, we persevered through these difficulties and emerged stronger as a family.
However, amidst these moments of joy and celebration, the year also brought its share of challenges. The multiple surgeries, therapies, doctor appointments, and deaths in the community were reminders of resilience in the face of adversity. The bumpy changes in auto and home insurance added financial stress and uncertainty to our lives, serving as a reminder of the unpredictability of life’s circumstances, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
Looking ahead, it is clear that the coming year will bring its own set of challenges and opportunities. As a family, we will continue to support each other through the ups and downs, relying on our faith and resilience to navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead.
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Why is being grateful so important?
Gratitude has the power to significantly change our lives. Strengthening our mental and physical well-being is more important than merely experiencing happiness in the here and now. Enhancing our relationships, elevating our mood, and even improving our physical health are all possible outcomes of practicing gratitude. Our ability to see the good in life can transform our perspective on it and how we relate to other people.
Cultivating gratitude can help us increase the happiness and fulfillment we currently experience in our lives. It’s a simple yet effective tool.
The following are some main advantages of practicing gratitude:
- Happiness: Gratitude makes it easier to concentrate on the good things in your life, which raises your level of contentment and happiness overall.
- Less stress and anxiety: Expressing thankfulness on a regular basis can help reduce stress hormones, which in turn reduces anxiety and encourages relaxation.
- Better physical health: Research points to a connection between thankfulness and improved physical health, which may include better sleep, a stronger immune system, and lowered blood pressure.
- Stronger bonds: Being thankful to others strengthens bonds and encourages constructive interactions in relationships.
- Increased resilience: By giving you a good outlook and the capacity to concentrate on what is going well, gratitude can assist you in overcoming difficult circumstances.
- Increased self-worth: By acknowledging your strengths, you can lessen the need to compare yourself to other people.
Key Takeaways:
- Being grateful is so much more than just saying “thank you.”
- Gratitude transforms what little you have into plenty.
- Gratitude alters the way you see the world.
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Inspiring Gratitude Quotes:
“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul” by Henry Ward Beecher.
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Willie Nelson
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens
“O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” William Shakespeare
“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.” Louis May Alcott
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy
“God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.” –Elizabeth Elliot
“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” –Charles Spurgeon
“No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful.” –Dr. David Jeremiah
A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.” –John MacArthur
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” –A.W. Tozer
“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that, I still possess.” –Corrie ten Boom
“A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. Thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.” –Billy Graham
“I’m just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that’s the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective.” –Tim Tebow
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Why is Gratitude Biblically Important?
The Bible says that being thankful is important because it recognizes God as the source of all good things, which enables us to focus on His blessings and strengthen our relationship with Him. It also helps us cultivate positive emotions like joy and peace, which are considered fruits of the Spirit. In essence, being grateful is a way to actively worship God and live in accordance with His will, as evidenced by verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which tells us to “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
This makes being thankful more than just a virtue. It’s a way of life. As we follow Christ’s example of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, it is an opportunity to see life through a lens of gratitude to God, encouraging personal development and strengthening our faith.
Gratitude lessons abound in the letters of the apostle Paul. He boldly expressed thanks even in the face of hardship, rather than just advocating for an attitude of thankfulness during prosperous times. Paul’s letter to the Colossians captures this bold view of thankfulness, as he says, “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7)
The Blessings of God
Gratitude for God and His bounties is the foundation of our life. According to James 1:17, the Bible teaches that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” These gifts can be anything from the great joys like life, love, and the freedom of redemption to the everyday wonders of nature that we frequently take for granted, like a lovely sunrise, a kind word, or a helpful hand.
The gift of Jesus, God’s only son, however, is the most valuable of all. God’s unwavering love for us is shown by this gift, which is so great that He offered His only Son to grant us eternal life (John 3:16). Our faith is based on this selfless love, which serves as a continual reminder of the majesty of the Almighty God.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Remember that gratitude is a lifestyle, not just an emotion. It’s about appreciating the positive aspect of our lives, viewing them as gifts, and utilizing them for positive changes. Together, let’s cultivate a culture of gratitude that is audacious, optimistic, and revolutionary. Let us establish a society characterized by kindness, service, and respect. By expressing gratitude to God, you can develop an attitude of gratitude and see the amazing effects it can have on your life, your neighborhood, and the entire world.
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Overall, while this year has had its ups and downs, I am grateful for the love and support of my family. Despite the challenges we have faced, we have come together as a united front and have overcome obstacles as a team. As we enter a new year, I am filled with hope and optimism for what the future holds for our family.
The past year has been a whirlwind of events and emotions for my family, filled with accomplishments, challenges, and moments of reflection. As we look back on the year that has passed, we are grateful for the lessons learned, the memories made, and the strength gained through it all. We look forward to the future with optimism and hope, knowing that whatever comes our way, we will face it together as a family. Here’s to a new year filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities.
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I pray that this month as you journal God’s blessings you will feel His presence in every aspect of your life and that you will remain aware of His presence throughout the month.
You can download a copy of the monthly Journaling Scripture Plan here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JS.December.pdf
References:
- Life Application Study Bible: King James Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2004. Print
- Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. (1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads: the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Peabody, Mass. :Hendrickson Publishers
- https://enduringword.com/#commentary
- https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
- https://www.paperpeonypress.com/learn/importance-of-being-thankful-gratitude
