Gratitude Changes Everything

Sharon JaynesPower of Words, Uncategorized 60 Comments

I just love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite time of year. A time to remember all that we have to be thankful for!

But what about the times when we just don’t feel very thankful. When the job stinks or the kids get on that last nerve. When we’ve got too much to do and not enough me to do it. When life doesn’t turn out like we thought it would. Hmmm. I hear a distant grumble coming on.

Paul wrote the Thessalonians, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Notice the Bible doesn’t command us to feel thankful in all circumstances. Instead it commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” When I begin to praise God in a difficult situation, even if I don’t feel like it, many times the scales fall from my eyes and I begin to see glimpses of His glory sprinkled on the black backdrop of the situation like diamonds on black velvet. Sometimes I don’t see glory in tragedy, but I still can praise God because I know He is there.

Gratitude changes the lens through which we see the circumstances in our little slice of time. Thanksgiving changes our perspective despite broken dreams, broken relationships, tumultuous circumstances, and unfulfilled longings.

As you praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done, your perspective of Him grows larger and your problems grow smaller. As a result, you will experience a deeper sense of intimacy with God as the emotional gap between what you know to be true and how you feel at the moment closes.

On many occasions in the Psalms, David complained about his circumstances (Psalms 42, 57, 62). But more often than not, about midway through David’s laments, he begins praising God for who He is and thanking God for what He’s done.

And you know what happens? All of a sudden David starts feeling better! Life isn’t so bad after all! His problems grow smaller as his perspective of God grows larger, and he begins to see God’s glory shining through the situation.

Why is that? In the writing of one little Psalm, David shifted from depression to rejoicing.

He didn’t wait until God changed his situation, solved his problem, or made him feel better before he began thanking Him.

Oh friend, when we stop complaining and grumbling and begin speaking God’s love language of gratitude, our perspective will change as well. We will begin seeing moments of sudden glory through the lens of praise and thanksgiving—glory moments that were there all along, but hidden from the grumbling eye.

And that makes every day Thanksgiving day.

Dear Lord, I praise Your name. I exalt Your name forever. Even though I may not understand what is going on in my life, I trust that You are good and Your plans are good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Leave a comment and tell one thing that you’re thankful for, in addition to Jesus and your family.

Words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Your words can change the course of a day…the course of a life. Your words become the mirrors in which others see themselves. In Sharon’s best-selling book, The Power of a Woman’s Words, you’ll explore the power you possess, the people you impact, and the potential for change. The answer to many of our problems is right under our noses–the words we speak. Also see the companion study guide. Over 100,000 copies sold.

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Comments 60

  1. I’m thankful to live in a country that has quality medical care so readily available. Although I have no health insurance myself, and I know the costs are exorbitant, there is still quality care available. Some mothers would give anything to have that available to their children.

  2. So thankful for the truth of God’s word, in a world full of lies, knowing God’s truth is steadfast is gratitude for sure

  3. Beautiful. Yes indeed we should be thankful for the many many blessings God has showe4ed on us. Today I’m grateful for the two children God has blessed me with. Especially my daughter who was born after six years of marriage

  4. I thank God daily for my eyesight as I witness the glorious display of His handiwork, and despite the wind and the cold rain we have been having there are still beautiful colors to behold. I notice that on the grey, dreary days those colors are brighter and more vivid and I cherish every moment. Glory and Praise to Our God who alone gives light to our days…I sing on my way to church, the grocery store, post office, bank. Have a blessed day! Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

  5. I am thankful that I have a great job and wonderful co-workers! I am thankful to know that God is always with me, through the good, bad and ugly and still loves me! I am thankful for my health, my mind, that I can see, hear and feel! I am thankful that I have devotions like this and the freedom to worship. I am thankful for women and others like you that minister to us and show us how much we are loved! I am thankful for so many things, I can’t possibly write them all down. 🙂

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  6. Amen!!!!! I love this! I must say this is so true! I’ve experienced some deep heartache in the past 3-4 years and the more I praise God and thank him, my circumstances get easier for me to endure. I believe God has a plan through all of our pain and we have to embrace his Love through it all. Sometimes we have to change our mindset, our thoughts and our “thinking”…think of everything lovely, pure and true. God has done amazing things in my life and I praise him every day.

  7. I am grateful for the love of God. He completely washed my sins away and even though I fail him everyday he is there to offer forgiveness and unconditional love. It’s so hard sometimes for me to wrap my head around how God can love me so unconditionally when I fail Him so many times, I am just thankful that He does.
    I have your book and have read most of “The Power of a Woman’s Words” and boy have I had to do some soul searching with the way I use words, sometimes without any though of how they might sound. I am thankful that God gave women like you the gift to write books like this that can help women become a more mature, more loving and compassionate Child of the living God. Thank you.

  8. Is the perspective of eternity out problems, no matter how large in our eyes, are a drop in the bucket. If we could just visualize that we would be better off. Not saying all problems are easily taken care of. but, we should definitely put them into to perspective of Heaven!

  9. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been in and out of the hospital. I’ve almost died several times. God has been with me the whole time. I thanked Him for always being there for me. He provided prayer partners when I couldn’t pray for myself.Through all of this my relationship with Him has grown stronger.

  10. One thing I’m thankful for is the freelance-writing project I just finished: it’s my first serious consideration by a periodical big enough to have a hard-copy version on most supermarket and bookstore magazine racks.

    I like the part about not being commanded to FEEL thankful in all circumstances: my own weekly newsletter has a banner that reads, “Trust God whether you feel like it or not.” Take that advice from someone who’s been literally addicted to negativity, and knows firsthand that the longer you wait to change, the more “withdrawal” is going to hurt.

    I do have one item for the prayer-requests department: longtime habits of anxiety and impatience have made me a poor judge of when to wait for God’s timing and when to personally do something right away. Am working on spending more time thanking God for what(ever) He’s going to do rather than worrying about what might happen.

  11. I’m thankful for life. I’m thankful that I can see, hear, taste, touch, walk and move. I’m thankful for my marriage, I’m thankful that God has a purpose for my life. I’m thankful for love, grace, mercy, financial ways that God has made, and forgiveness. Everyday we wake up is an obvious sign that God Is NOT done with us yet!!!!

    1. your comment covers it all and truly touched my heart when I read it . Praise the Lord it’s so very true all you have written. I agree and applaud you for sharing your feelings here in this forum.

  12. I am trying to be thankful that God has me repeating the NCLEX-RN exam for the X amount of times. LOL! I believe He is preparing me in this time that I may see as a fail.

  13. I am thankful for a God that forgives. I miss my sweet husband daily but I am so thankful that God called him home and didn’t let him suffer long with cancer.

  14. I’m thankful for the gift of being to encourage, empower and embraces others with word and love through the power of the Holy Spirit

  15. I am grateful for my health. I am three years shy of the age my mother passed away (57). I have a quality of life that she did not have at my age. I am so grateful for my mobility and am making a concerted effort to take good care of my self in the aging years.

  16. Am.thankful that God still is in control regardless of the loss of my parents and my guardian who passed a week ago.Truly he is my strength and a shoulder that will always lean on.A great Daddy!!!

  17. I am so thankful for my daddy. He is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s….a very cruel disease. Our family is taking one day at a time and living it to the fullest with him. His attitude is wonderful and I can learn so very much from him. Every moment I get to spend with him is precious and priceless. <3

  18. I’m thankful for being a great grandma at 65. And that God will entrust me to care for him with God & strong faith centered life.
    Thankful that I now know Gods beautiful love & direction for me and my fruitfulnes here will lead me to heaven to be with my creator and King Jesus Christ.

  19. I’m thankful for a job that I love, and the opportunities to make a difference for so many in my community through it.

  20. When I stop to praise God for who He is and what He has done in my life, I can move forward easier in spite of being saddened by circumstances. I look around me at all the people whom I love who are suffering in so many different ways, I find it difficult not to get depressed and start asking that old question, “why”. That’s when I really have to stop and refocus on my blessings that God always provides.

  21. I spoke at a Relay for Life in 2017 about the good things that come from having cancer and the gratitude I developed just living through all the treatment and recovery-I am blessed.

  22. Am bless with the words of encouragement it came to me when I needed this message am grateful to God even in times of trial God knows and my burden is been lifted God take you your grace is sufficient for us.

  23. I am thankful for the circumstances that God brings into my life. When I look and listen, I can learn in any situation. Reflection allows me to look through the lens of gratitude changing my perception.

  24. 1 Thess 5:18 has literally changed y life.

    Giving thanks in everything binds me to God trusting Him. Everything comes to me by way of Him brings hope,
    especially trials. Thank you so much for writing this article.

    God bless you,
    Marilyn

  25. Today I am thankful that even though my mom is in a nursing home she is alive, happy and healthy. Thank you Lord Jesus for protecting her🙏🏻❤️

  26. I am so thankful that I know He Lives! I am thankful, for in this season, God has provided, protected and prepared me to continue walking by faith. I am thankful I have a job, wonderful Christian friends, children that are walking by faith and although it is not always easy I still have joy!!!

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