Colossians 2:6-7
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Recently I have been reflecting on how gratitude relates to trusting in the Lord. In my reflection, I was reminded of times when life was hard. When we are in those times of darkness, the light is hard to see. Gratitude is not even on the radar because I am so focused on the negative aspects of the situation. Let me ask you, when was it hard to even think of something you were thankful for? How do we get to a place of thankfulness when we are in a place of sorrow, anger, sadness, ect? I have realized when gratitude becomes my default setting life changes!
One time in my life of many when gratitude was not on the radar was when my mom was very sick. I was the caretaker of my mother, yet I was only in high school. All my mind focused on was how sick my mom was and how angry I was at life! In the midst of my anger and sorrow, my youth leader challenged me to start my day writing 5 blessings in a journal from the day before. My thought was, how do I even get to five? Yet, if you know me, I am always up for a challenge!
As I grew in finding blessings in my life my mindset gradually strengthened in love and thoughts of gratitude. This transformed my world. As my thankfulness grew at the same time my trust in the Lord was refined and strengthened. I believe when you are overflowing with thankfulness you will be overflowing with love and trust in the Lord. Gratitude and strength can go hand in hand. I believe being rooted and built up in Him can be strengthened by remembering your blessings! Gratitude transforms our mindset which in turn changes our lives!
When gratitude becomes your default setting life changes! Some of you may ask, what is a default setting? A default setting is a setting automatically given to a program or device. A default setting for each of us is our normal behavior and reactions. Having a default setting of gratitude in your life will allow you to be transformed to see the good first instead of the bad. A default of thankfulness can be done. One simple way I am reminded to be thankful is the home screen on my phone says “surrender.” This reminds me to be thankful and trust in the Lord every time I look at my phone.
What are you grateful for today? Write down 5 blessings in your life today! I challenge you to do this every day for thirty days. This will allow you to see love, thankfulness, and peace first!
Lord, may you remind us of the blessings in our lives. May we be grateful for the blessings you bestow upon us. I pray that you remind us of just how blessed we are and that you never allow us to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness. May the gratitude I see overflow into the lives of others around me. AMEN!
Rev. Lauren Parliament 