Tis the season of gratitude... or at least the season with "thanks" in the title.
I usually find myself getting more annoyed and finding more things to complain about when we all get together to say thanks. It's like we as a culture say "here are all of the things you have to do to have a good holiday season! Don't screw it up or we'll all notice and stare. Oh! And try to relax and be happy!"
Yesterday I heard a powerful message about joy in the lives of followers of Jesus. Maybe the greatest example of Christ we can be this week is with genuine thanks and a grateful attitude. Here are a few ways to focus on gratitude this week.
1. Focus on what you have: It is obnoxiously easy to get obsessed with what I want or think I need. The reality is that if we are sitting inside eating turkey this Thursday we have it better than so many people suffering across the world and in our own cities. This week, every day, focus on what you have. Be thankful you have a job, even if it's no fun at all. Be thankful for your family, even if you don't get along very well. Be thankful for your home, even if it feels too small. Be thankful for your food, even if it's not your favorite. Fill your perspective with what you have, not what you lack.
2. Don't Complain: Just don't. Complaining is the worst way to fix a problem. Also, sarcasm is just a more fun way of complaining. Sarcastic posts on the internet are the same thing except it's harder to tell if you're kidding or just being mean.
Instead of "mom, why isn't there any pie?!" try this: "Mom, I know you're busy this week. How can I help you? Maybe we could make a pie together?" Instead of posting something political, even if it's witty and hilarious, try posting something encouraging, even if it encourages someone you don't really like.
Think of it like this. Choosing a bad attitude is like volunteering to swim in a pool of sadness. Complaining is like pushing someone else in and holding them under. Drastic analogy? Yes. But pretty accurate.
3. Choose to be Grateful: We usually cannot choose the way we feel. We can always choose the way we act. Your feelings, circumstances, or struggles are not your identity. Don't let them control you. In a world that is blown around by feelings like a kite in a hurricane, be different. Let your hope in Jesus decide your actions.
As I write this post I realize even more clearly that I need to do all this stuff as much, if not more, than anyone else.
I hope we can all choose gratitude, not just during the "thanks" time of the year.
I usually find myself getting more annoyed and finding more things to complain about when we all get together to say thanks. It's like we as a culture say "here are all of the things you have to do to have a good holiday season! Don't screw it up or we'll all notice and stare. Oh! And try to relax and be happy!"
Yesterday I heard a powerful message about joy in the lives of followers of Jesus. Maybe the greatest example of Christ we can be this week is with genuine thanks and a grateful attitude. Here are a few ways to focus on gratitude this week.
1. Focus on what you have: It is obnoxiously easy to get obsessed with what I want or think I need. The reality is that if we are sitting inside eating turkey this Thursday we have it better than so many people suffering across the world and in our own cities. This week, every day, focus on what you have. Be thankful you have a job, even if it's no fun at all. Be thankful for your family, even if you don't get along very well. Be thankful for your home, even if it feels too small. Be thankful for your food, even if it's not your favorite. Fill your perspective with what you have, not what you lack.
2. Don't Complain: Just don't. Complaining is the worst way to fix a problem. Also, sarcasm is just a more fun way of complaining. Sarcastic posts on the internet are the same thing except it's harder to tell if you're kidding or just being mean.
Instead of "mom, why isn't there any pie?!" try this: "Mom, I know you're busy this week. How can I help you? Maybe we could make a pie together?" Instead of posting something political, even if it's witty and hilarious, try posting something encouraging, even if it encourages someone you don't really like.
Think of it like this. Choosing a bad attitude is like volunteering to swim in a pool of sadness. Complaining is like pushing someone else in and holding them under. Drastic analogy? Yes. But pretty accurate.
3. Choose to be Grateful: We usually cannot choose the way we feel. We can always choose the way we act. Your feelings, circumstances, or struggles are not your identity. Don't let them control you. In a world that is blown around by feelings like a kite in a hurricane, be different. Let your hope in Jesus decide your actions.
As I write this post I realize even more clearly that I need to do all this stuff as much, if not more, than anyone else.
I hope we can all choose gratitude, not just during the "thanks" time of the year.
