Tag Archives: Gratitude

How to Make Gratitude a Part of Every Day

You and I are faced with choices to either grumble or live with gratitude every day. One brings frustration and the other brings joy. How we can choose joy. #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #livewithjoy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Okay, I’ll admit it, I wasn’t feeling very thankful.

In my defense, I was pregnant and my raging hormones were definitely affecting my attitude. It seems silly in retrospect, but there I was standing in our closet grumbling to myself as I moved Rev’s suit jackets and dress pants from wire hangers back to the more appropriate suit hangers.

It’s kind of funny when I think about it now, especially considering all the parenting tasks that were ahead but…

That day, all I could think about was having to do something I’d reminded him about multiple times before. Doesn’t everyone know a suit loses its shape and wrinkles if it’s not hanging on a suit hanger?

But then, right there in the middle of my grumbling, I heard the still quiet voice of the Lord whisper…

“Would you prefer he wasn’t here?”

Wait! What?

NO!

God has blessed me with an amazing man. I have so many reasons to be thankful for him.

I don’t believe God’s words were a threat. They were a reminder to love first. And those six words have remained in my heart and mind forever. God gently helped me realize that . . . I could celebrate who Rev is and all the blessings he brings to my life or I can grumble about little things like hangers. I could build him up or tear him down. Choosing to “Love First” is a decision we make every day.

Because, the truth is…

LOVING FIRST by SHOWING GRATITUDE is a CHOICE YOU MAKE EVERY DAY

You and I are faced with gratitude choices every day. We can choose to focus on ourselves and grumble when the people around us aren’t meeting our expectations or we can focus on ways we are blessed by and through them and show them gratitude.

So, I’ve compiled a list of 50 ways to make gratitude part of every day. Ways to bless our families, our communities, and the world around us. There are even a few ways you and I can thank God Himself. The Lord placed us where we are for a reason and the best way to show gratitude to Him is to live boldly with gratitude right where we are!

One of my favorite verses on living with gratitude is…

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:16b–17

And a favorite gratitude quote…

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” ~Henri Frederic Amiel

So let’s check out that list:

You and I are faced with choices to either grumble or live with gratitude every day. One brings frustration and the other brings joy. How we can choose joy. #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #livewithjoy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

50 Ways to Make Gratitude a Part of Every Day

Start with Gratitude at Home:

  1. Make a Gratitude Jar or Board – Have your family fill the jar or make notes on the board of all the reasons they are thankful for each other.
  2. Have a “Do Something for Someone Challenge” – It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just encourage everyone in your family to look for ways to do something nice each day without having to be asked.
  3. Write a thank-you note to a family member telling them why you appreciate them.
  4. Go around the table at dinner and have each person name a way someone in the family blessed them that day.
  5. Make an “Our Family Thank You” Song or Saying – Have fun with this. Make up a “thank you” song to sing or sentence to repeat that’s unique to your family. (We simply tell each other . . . “I thank the Lord for you!”
  6. Do little things you know speaks a loved one’s Love Language . . . something you know will make them feel loved and appreciated.
  7. Take time to listen to understand not just to reply.
  8. Do your best to be patient even when life is crazy or chaotic.
  9. Forgive each other quickly.
  10. Take an interest in a family member’s hobby or passion.
  11. Make saying “thank you” a priority before a gift can be used. Send a snail mail note or make a video and send it to the gift giver.
  12. Set aside a time to enjoy a date night with your spouse as often as possible. Even if you just set aside time for the two of you at home after the kids have gone to bed.
  13. Have one on one time with each child at least once a month.
  14. Find the humor in life and LAUGH OFTEN!
  15. PRAY for family members at home and away.
  16. Talk about what they learned from a bad situation and how they might end up being thankful for it.
  17. Make a small handmade gift or card.
  18. When you’re angry – stop, breathe, and pray before you speak.
  19. Make home a no insult zone – not even in humor.
  20. Compliment each other more than you complain.
You and I are faced with choices to either grumble or live with gratitude every day. One brings frustration and the other brings joy. How we can choose joy. #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #livewithjoy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Thank Your Friends and People in Your Community

  1. Call or send a note to thank a friend just for being there for you.
  2. Donate food, unused clothes, toys, and household items to help those in need.
  3.  Serve at a shelter or senior center.
  4. Carry “Homeless Care Kits” to give to someone in need. (Include toothpaste, a toothbrush, tissues, lip balm, hand wipes, a bottle of water, and a granola bar.)
  5. Let your children see you show gratitude to those who help you. – Servers, trash collectors, checkers, receptionists, etc.
  6. Take a prayer walk in your neighborhood.
  7. Donate blood to save a life.
  8. Teach a skill, language, or hobby at your community center.
  9. Help a neighbor – babysit, cut the grass, shovel the walk, cook a meal, etc.
  10. Invite someone to join your holiday celebration. – I have a friend who does this and says that an added benefit is it puts everyone on their best behavior.
  11. Help your children write a thank you note to babysitters, teachers, and pastors and pray for them.
  12. Smile at strangers -“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” ~Mother Teresa (Even with masks . . . Smile! It makes your eyes sparkle.)

Offer Gratitude and Kindness Around the World

  1. Sponsor a child through World Vision or Compassion Int.
  2. Pack a Shoe Box for Operation Christmas Child.
  3. Write a thank you note to a someone serving in the military – get ideas here.
  4. Pray for those serving in missions.
  5. Help a missionary with financial support.
  6. Join Samaritan’s Purse Prayer Network.
  7. Recycle and conserve energy . . . take care of the earth.
  8.  Go on a mission trip.

Thank and Praise God

  1. Make a list of family blessings and thank and praise God together.
  2. Read a Psalm and give thanks. (Try Psalm 34, 100, 111, or 150)
  3. Live thankful today – let go of the past and don’t worry about tomorrow.
  4. Love and serve the people God has placed in your life.
  5. Find 10 more ways to thank God here.

Be Someone Who Shows Gratitude Everywhere Every Day

  1. Always be honest and kind.
  2. Be complimentary and encouraging.
  3. Offer grace – don’t expect perfection.
  4. Notice people – make eye contact.
  5. See everyone you meet as someone dearly loved and precious to God.

And just for fun!

♥ Tell someone, “You bless me!

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 1:4

Finally…

Another reason to count our blessings and live with gratitude.

You and I are faced with choices to either grumble or live with gratitude every day. One brings frustration and the other brings joy. How we can choose joy. #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #livewithjoy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

If the World were 100 People

If we looked at the earth’s population as if it were a small community of 100 people, it would look something like this…

Gender

  • 50 Male
  • 50 Female

RELIGION:

  • 32 are Christian
  • 53 are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, or Other Religion
  • 15 Identify as Not Religious

FOOD:

  • 24 Always have enough food to eat
  • 16 Go hungry some of the time
  • 34 Always hungry
  • 26 Severely undernourished

FREEDOMS:

  • 60 can’t speak, act according to their faith and conscience due to harassment, imprisonment, torture or death
  • 40 live in a country designated as “free”
  • 12 live in a war zone

EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY:

  • 83 can read 17 cannot
  • 7 have a college degree
  • 22 own or share a computer

LIVING STANDARDS

  • 10 live on less than $2 a day
  • 50 live on about $6 a day
  • 1 of 2 children live in poverty
  • 33 live without basic sanitation
  • 75 easily have access to safe water, 25 do not or spend much of the day walking to get it

Friend…

If you keep your food in a refrigerator and your clothes in a closet…
If you have a bed to sleep in and have a roof over your head…
If you have people who care about you…

You are abundantly blessed. I am too! May we faithfully thank and praise God by showing our gratitude and love every day . . . to Him and to the people He has placed around us.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
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I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Pray Psalms with Thanks and Praise

Praying the Psalms is one of the best ways to experience the peace of God by being full of gratitude, continually giving Him an offering of thanks and praise. #Thanksgiving #PrayersofGratitude #PrayScripture #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I began praying the P.R.A.Y. – Prayer Model years ago.

P – Praise and Thanks

Begin each prayer thanking God for who He is and for all He has done and that He continues to do in you and in the world around you.

R – Repent

Pause and intentionally confess your flaws and failures and tell Him you know His ways are best and ask Him for help to obey.

A – Ask

Lift up any needs and requests you have for yourself, your family, the church and the world at large.

Y – Yield

“Thy will be done.” (Matthew 26:39) Surrender your prayer to God – telling Him you trust His love and perfect will for you.

I have a confession to make.

Although I’ve known and followed this prayer model for as long as I can remember, it’s easy for me to hurry through the Pray, Repent, and Yield parts while lingering on my Asks. I can too often focus on what I need or want next rather than praising and thanking God for what He has already done for me.

Honestly, I can be like the child who is in a hurry to open the next gift on Christmas morning as I forget to pause and appreciate the one I’ve just opened. Or like the wilderness wanderers in Exodus who grumbled about the food they left behind rather than remembering that God had delivered them from suffering and slavery.

So, I’m pausing today and turning to the words of David in the Psalms . . . verses filled with thanks and praise. David that knew God’s grace that covers a multitude of sins, God’s protection and presence in the toughest of times, God’s unfailing love that endures forever.

You and I often ask God to give us peace. We want freedom from conflict and chaos, hassles and hardships. I read recently that shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, means more than simply absence of problems . . . it means wholeness and happiness!

God’s peace is able to make us whole and happy even when life is hard . . . not because of circumstances but because of His grace, mercy, and love.

Will you join me in praying words of David from the Psalms and thank Him for faithfully giving us shalom through His grace, mercy, and love.

How to Pray Psalms with Thanks and Praise

Praying the Psalms is one of the best ways to experience the peace of God by being full of gratitude, continually giving Him an offering of thanks and praise. #Thanksgiving #PrayersofGratitude #PrayScripture #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

We thank You, O God!
    We give thanks because You are near.
    People everywhere tell of Your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

Father, I thank you! You are always with me whatever is going on in my life. You promised that Your Spirit will never leave nor forsake Your children. (John 14:16) You strengthen me and cover me with a peace that goes beyond my ability to understand. (Philippians 4:7)

I want everyone to know You and experience Your love. I will tell of all You have done for me. Please fill me with Your truth, give me the message You want me to share, and open the hearts and minds of those who receive it. May I live every moment of life with gratitude that all I do and say might be for Your glory!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim Your unfailing love in
the morning, Your faithfulness in the evening.

Psalm 92:1–2

Father, You are good and it is good for me to give You thanks and praise. Thank you for the music of creation and for those who turn it into beautiful songs of praise. Thank you for Your perfect unfailing love. Thank you for the gift of Jesus who suffered the pain of my punishment and set me free. Please help me live under Your gift of freedom with obedience. Help me know, trust, and follow Your perfect will for me. I love You, Lord. With Your Spirit’s help, I will proclaim Your goodness, faithfulness, and love with every breath I take.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
    go into His courts with praise.
    Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever, and
His faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100:4–5

Father God, I will forever praise Your name with thanksgiving. Through Jesus, You have made it possible for me to enter Your Kingdom through the “narrow gate” of faith. (Matthew 7:13) Jesus has made me righteous and holy in Your sight, not because of anything I have done but because of Your goodness and grace. Because of Your overwhelming love! You are the forever and always the same . . . yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Thank you for showing me repeatedly that I can count on You and Your Word. I can trust You with all my heart. I can surrender to Your love because of who You are. You are worthy of my thanks and praise. You are worthy of my all!

Praying the Psalms is one of the best ways to experience the peace of God by being full of gratitude, continually giving Him an offering of thanks and praise. #Thanksgiving #PrayersofGratitude #PrayScripture #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim
His greatness. Let the whole world
know what He has done.
Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises.
    Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds.
Exult in His holy name;
    rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for His strength;
    continually seek Him.

Psalm 105:1–4

Father, I thank you! I will proclaim Your greatness again and again. You have shown me Your grace and mercy. You invite me to come to You in repentance and cover me with forgiveness because of Jesus. You pour out Your love on me every single day. You provide for me and protect me. You cover me with peace and words of encouragement. You give me all I need to fight every battle I face. You welcome my prayers and hear me when I come to You with my needs.

Thank you for giving me the Helper, to lead me in truth and fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (John 14:26, Galatians 5:22–23a) So, I will seek You, Lord. I will come to You when I need strength trusting that You always keep Your promises. You are all my soul needs! I will thank and praise you today and forever.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of
mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11–12

Father, when I remember all the things You have carried me through in the past, when I think of the times you have lifted me out of the pit and replaced my mourning with joy . . . I have everything I need to trust You with all of me for all my life. When I ponder all that You have done for me in and through Jesus and all that You continue to do for me every day through the Helper, the Spirit, and Your loving provision, I know I must give myself to You as an offering of thanks and praise.

I surrender myself to You, Lord God. I will SEEK You through Your Word and prayer. I will sit with You in stillness and learn Your will. I will forever praise Your name. With Your help and by Your grace, I will live for Your glory. Amen.

Praying the Psalms is one of the best ways to experience the peace of God by being full of gratitude, continually giving Him an offering of thanks and praise. #Thanksgiving #PrayersofGratitude #PrayScripture #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Live with Thanks and Praise

I have come to realize that one of the best ways to experience the shalom of God is to live with an attitude of thanks and praise. When my heart is full of gratitude the Spirit blesses me with wholeness and happiness.

So, grab your prayer journal and write a prayer of thanks every day and if you’re having a particularly hard day and you can’t find the words . . . just write these words from the Psalms:

You are my God, and I will praise you!
    You are my God, and I will exalt you!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 118:28–29

May God bless you and give you SHALOM!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Enjoy the Benefits of Blessing Counting

Intentional Blessing Counting is good for your health mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 20 questions on a printable guide to help you think of blessings to count. #Blessings #Hope #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #countingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I began intentionally blessing counting more than a dozen years ago. Not because I was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy but because I was overwhelmed by sadness. I realized that if I didn’t start intentionally noticing the good things God was doing in my life I might drown in sorrow.

Living each day miserable and despondent was not only bad for my emotional health . . . it was hurting me mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Many articles have been written over the years about the ways gratitude can improve a person’s health, bless their relationships at home and at work, and generally improve their lives.

But even though we tell ourselves it’s what we want, it’s still easier to focus on what’s wrong than on what’s right. It’s easier to complain than to thank.

Simply put . . . many of us still aren’t very good at living with intentional gratitude.

We fail to consistently communicate our gratitude to God for all He has done and is doing nor do we faithfully thank the people He has placed around us.

Yep! Even though we know grateful people are more satisfied, have stronger relationships, and are generally happier, we listen to and then fixate on negatives more than we do the positives.

That ain’t no way to live. I want to not only notice the blessings in my life, I want to genuinely be thankful for them. I want to reap the benefits of blessing counting.

Don’t you want that too? Not only for yourself but for your children.

If you’d like to make living with intentional gratitude part of your life join me in taking the gratitude challenge and enjoy the benefits of blessing counting.

How to Enjoy the Benefits of Blessing Counting

♥ Grab a journal, colorful pens, and some fun stickers . . . get ready to list at least 3 blessings for which you are thankful each day.

You may even want to make this a family project and have everyone share their daily blessings so you can add them to the list. I think it would be a great New Year’s Eve tradition to read through our blessings journals and thank God for all He has done.

Intentional Blessing Counting is good for your health mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 20 questions on a printable guide to help you think of blessings to count. #Blessings #Hope #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #countingMyBlessings #WWGGG

And if you’d like a little help…

Here are 20 blessing counting questions with verses and quotes that will get you started.

1. WHO WAS KIND TO YOU TODAY?

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

2. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY DOING TODAY?

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 6:9

3. WHO HELPED YOU TODAY?

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

4. WHO DID YOU HELP TODAY?

Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16

5. WHAT IS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TODAY?

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

6. WHAT SIMPLE THING MADE TODAY A GOOD DAY?

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Matthew 6:25–26

7. WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Proverbs 2:1–3

Intentional Blessing Counting is good for your health mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 20 questions on a printable guide to help you think of blessings to count. #Blessings #Hope #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #countingMyBlessings #WWGGG

8. WHO MADE YOU SMILE TODAY? WHAT DID THEY DO?

How happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Proverbs 8:31:32

9. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM A BAD EXPERIENCE?

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2–3

10. HOW DID TECHNOLOGY MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER?

May [God] equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21

11. WHO MADE YOU FEEL IMPORTANT TODAY?

7 Effective Ways to Make Others Feel Important

1. Use their name.
2. Express sincere gratitude.
3. Do more listening than talking.
4. Talk more about them than about you.
5. Be authentically interested.
6. Be sincere in your praise.
7. Show you care. ~Roy T. Bennett

12. WHAT GAVE YOU JOY TODAY?

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TASTE, SMELL, TOUCH, SIGHT, OR SOUND FROM THE DAY?

Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord. Proverbs 20:12

14. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalm 133:1

Intentional Blessing Counting is good for your health mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 20 questions on a printable guide to help you think of blessings to count. #Blessings #Hope #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #countingMyBlessings #WWGGG
Click here for a printable copy!

15. WHO FORGAVE YOU? WHO DID YOU FORGIVE?

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

16. WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY YOU COULDN’T DO YESTERDAY?

Pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. Proverbs 5:1–2

17. WHO THANKED YOU TODAY? HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL?

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3

18. WHO LOVES YOU? WHO DO YOU LOVE?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

19. WHERE DID YOU SEE GOD AT WORK TODAY?

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! Psalm 92:4–5a

20. WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Intentional Blessing Counting is good for your health mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 20 questions on a printable guide to help you think of blessings to count. #Blessings #Hope #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #countingMyBlessings #WWGGG

THE BENEFIT OF BLESSING COUNTING!

Like worship, gratitude is not something to do occasionally. Gratitude is an attitude . . . a way of life and thankfulness is an offering given in response to all God has given us through His grace, mercy, and love.

So, keep a record by making a list of blessings and then don’t forget to add one more thing…

Pause and intentionally say thank you to someone every day. Send a note, card, or email. Make a phone call. Bake a batch of cookies. Be appreciative. I promise it will bless them and it will bless you more than you can imagine.

So, that’s it!

We can do this! I believe blessing counting will change our lives and lives of the people around us.

Tell us what you’re thankful for . . . share something you’re listing in your journal in the comments below. We’d even love a tip or two of the ways you say “thank you” to others. We are stronger when we stand together and hold each other accountable; so, let’s cheer each other on.

Follow me on social media where I’ll be sharing some of the things I’m writing in my Blessings Journal and some of the ways I’m saying thank you to the people in my life!

My favorite blessing today is a husband who always makes me laugh. I think I’ll make his favorite dinner as a thank you.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

When You Want to Pray with Thankfulness and Praise

Do you want to pray and live with thankfulness and praise even when busyness and frustrations get in the way and distract you? This will help you. #Prayer #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

It’s so easy to get caught up in the dailiness of life.

I get busy just doing and living and somehow forget to fill moments with thankfulness and praise.

Oh, I can be convincing when I talk about it in this space but the doing it, the consistently offering an attitude of thankfulness and praise . . . yeah, that can get pushed aside by the more pressing and noisy. And I don’t know about you, but based on what I read on social media, I think there are many of us who are struggling to bubble over with gratitude this year.

But this week, I am pausing to remember how 13 years God gave us a miracle and spared Rev’s life. So, I’m pausing to ignore the negativity of 2020 and praise God for the blessing He gave us in 2017. I’m thanking Him for 4,750 plus bonus days and for the many people who left handprints on our hearts through an extremely difficult season.

And I want to continue to remember that even when the year is challenging, God is with me in countless ways using people to touch my life with His grace, mercy, and love.

So, today I am praying with intentional thankfulness and praise. I’ve found 5 verses that I want to hold close and pray often. And I hope and pray they bless you as well.

Verses to Pray with Thankfulness and Praise

Do you want to pray and live with thankfulness and praise even when busyness and frustrations get in the way and distract you? This will help you. #Prayer #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

PSALM 9:1

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. 

Father, I am so sorry. I’m ashamed at how easily I can fail to remember Your goodness and grace as I focus on what I believe is wrong or lacking. I am sorry that I allow busyness to distract and overwhelm me. Please forgive me. I want my life to be filled with thankfulness and praise. I want to humbly focus on all the things You have done for me and on all the ways You have worked in my life. My heart’s desire is to tell of all the wonderful ways You bless us. By Your grace, fill me with Your Spirit and with a heartful of thanks. Amen.

PSALM 106:1

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 

Father, I want to thank you for all You do but most of all I want to praise You for who You are. You are good! You are love. You are all I need now and forever.

Thank you for giving us Your Holy Spirit to whisper reminders of Your promises to my heart and mind. By Your grace, help me stay connected to You through Your Word and prayer. And when I am distracted or I begin to wander help me remember that You keep every promise You have ever made and faithfully meet my every need. Thank you, Lord!

PSALM 118:21–24

I will give you thanks, for You answered me;
    You have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad. 

Jesus, My greatest need in life is the gift of salvation You give. Thank you for living the perfect life that I fall short of every single day. Thank you for suffering my punishment and dying for my sins. Thank you for giving me hope along with a full and satisfying life. (John 10:10) And thank you for the resurrection that gives me the promise of a beautiful perfect life with You in heaven forever. Whatever is going on in my life – You are forever more than enough! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

1 CORINTHIANS 15:57

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Father, thank you for the victory You have given me in and through Jesus. Victory over today’s problems and Satan’s lies. You give me all I need to overcome any problem or challenge. (Romans 8) And by the power of Your Spirit, I have the gift of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and love. (Galatians 5) An arsenal that helps me live with courage and strength. Thank you! Your grace and the victory I have through Jesus is all I need.

Do you want to pray and live with thankfulness and praise even when busyness and frustrations get in the way and distract you? This will help you. #Prayer #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

COLOSSIANS 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Father, living with thankfulness and praise is living for You and for Your glory. May every word I speak and thing I do — come from a grateful heart. Help me remember that as Your child every word I speak and every thing I do become the thoughts and opinions people have about who You are. Forgive me. Help me. You are my everything and I am so full of gratitude. May I live each day to bring honor and glory to Your name.

PHILIPPIANS 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you. 

Father, thank you for the community of friends who gather here in this place. I am so very thankful for each of them. They bless and encourage me. Father, bless them and hold them close. Please meet every need and bless them as they do their best to live for Your glory. Give them joy as they serve You and fill them with thankfulness and praise. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

And in thankfulness and praise…

I am so thankful for you, my friends!

May you be filled with joy, may you celebrate many bonus days, and may the Lord pour His blessings over every part of your life.

I’d love for you to take a moment to leave a comment today and tell us the verse that encourages you when you need to remember to offer thankfulness and praise when life is distracting or difficult.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Leave your prayer requests…

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Bless Your Marriage by Being Grateful

Being grateful is an important way for you to bless your marriage. This how-to will help you show gratitude in any Love Language. #Marriage #LoveLanguages #Gratitude #Blessings #BlessingCounter

It’s a little thing really.

Every evening, I set up our coffee maker so its ready to brew our favorite blend the following morning. Today’s filter goes in the trash, the glass carafe’ is filled and poured into the water reservoir, and four tablespoons of coffee beans are ground…

And that’s when it happens.

From wherever he is in the house, as those blades whirl and turn beans into powder, Rev yells … “THANK YOU!!!!”

I can’t tell you when he started because that “THANK YOU” has been echoing through the hallways of our homes for years and it’s just one of the small intentional ways gratitude blesses our marriage.

Rev and I have the same Love Language.

We both crave Words of Affirmation, so it only makes sense that we believe it’s important to say “thank you” and say it often.

That’s why I’d like to share some of our favorites … but if your Love Language is Gifts, Acts of Service, Quality Time, or Physical Touch, don’t leave because I’m going to share a few tips for simple ways you can show gratitude in those love languages and bless your marriage, too!

8 Simple Ways to say “Thank You” that will Bless Your Marriage

♥ Thank God for your spouse. 

It’s easy to shoot up prayers asking God to help, bless, and sometimes even change our spouses … but stopping just to say “thank you” for your spouse is the perfect way to say “I love you!”

 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly. Ephesians 1:16

♥ Say “thank you” always – even for the little things.

Even if it’s simply making a pot of coffee, taking out the trash, or making the bed … “thank you” says, “I appreciate you and all you do for us!”

“A grateful heart is one that finds the countless blessings of God in the seemingly mundane everyday life.”  ~ Anonymous

Being grateful is an important way for you to bless your marriage. This how-to will help you show gratitude in any Love Language. #Marriage #LoveLanguages #Gratitude #Blessings #BlessingCounter

♥ Have an intentional 10-minute conversation every day.

This can be hard with busy schedules and children vying for attention but taking a few minutes to connect every day is important. So, put down your phones, look into each other’s eyes, talk about life and mean it!

“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” ~ Roy T. Bennet

♥ Ignore small annoyances and thank your spouse for ignoring yours.

It’s easier to overlook the things that get on my nerves when I remember just how many of my faults Rev patiently endures. In fact, after I’ve reminded myself of all the ways I can be annoying … I can hardly remember any of his.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2–3

♥Forgive quickly.

It’s downright Biblical!

If you are angry, do not let it become sin. Get over your anger before the day is finished. Ephesians 4:26

And I love this quote…

“I am amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday.”  ~ Gary Chapman

♥ Send a surprise “thank you” text just because.

I thank the Lord for you.
You make my heart happy.
I can’t wait until you get home.
Thanks for all the things you do for our family.
Thanks for marrying me. Thanks for wanting me to marry you.
Thank you for making me laugh.
Thank you for all the ways you make my life easier.

♥ End the day with an “I love you because…” proclamation.

Keep a mental or written list of the little things you love about your spouse and tell them.

Things like:

I love you because you’re fun.
I love you because of the ways you take care of us.
I love you because of all the ways you encourage me.
I love you because you make me laugh.
I love you because you’re you!

 Do everything in love. 1 Corinthian 16:14

♥ Praise them to your family and friends … so they can hear you.

Make it a rule to never complain about your spouse to anyone! And you don’t have to be sappy or make obnoxious – just be thankful!

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Ways to Say “Thank You” in Your Spouse’s Love Language and Bless Your Marriage

Being grateful is an important way for you to bless your marriage. This how-to will help you show gratitude in any Love Language. #Marriage #LoveLanguages #Gratitude #Blessings #BlessingCounter

♥ For the spouse whose love language is acts of service…

  • Make his favorite dinner and leave a thank you note on his plate that says “thank you for all you do!”
  • Give you a certificate that says … Thank you for all you do – this is for 24 hours of complete relaxation while the kids and I take care of everything!
  • Just do little things that show you’re thankful!

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3

♥ For the spouse whose love language is quality time…

  • Schedule a sitter for the afternoon and ask your spouse to choose the destination.
  • Put the kids to bed early and eat a quiet romantic dinner – just the two of you.
  • Declare one night a month, “I’m thankful for you, night!” And declare it technology free!

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10

♥ For the spouse whose love language is gifts…

This one is easy! You can give a little gift anytime just make sure you add a thank you note!

“The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.” ~ Martin Luther

♥ For the spouse whose love language is physical touch… 

Grab a hand, sneak a quick kiss, give a back rub or foot massage and say, “I am soooo thankful for you!”

And finally, a huge way to say “thank you” in any love language…

♥ Flirt – but only with your spouse!

Recently, I’ve seen several articles about all the reasons why flirting is bad and I wonder why the assumption is that all flirting is done outside of marriage.

Any time I’m asked for my best marriage advice, NEVER STOP FLIRTING always comes right after GIVE GOD FIRST PLACE IN YOUR MARRIAGE!

I define flirting as the playfulness you did when you wanted to communicate how much you found the other person attractive.

The dictionary defines flirting as – playfully behaving as though attracted to or trying to attract someone.

Most articles add that it is a sign of sexual availability … so, flirting in your marriage is a wonderful way to say, “I’m sexually available and I’m only sexually available to you!” And I believe that says, “Thank you for being the only one with whom I want to be intimate. Thank you for being mine!”

I’m a firm believer that if I think something positive, I should say it! And saying “thank you” is the perfect way to keep thinking positive things about my marriage.

Yep, being grateful is an easy way to bless your marriage.

And after 46 years of marriage, we definitely have a lot of reasons to be grateful!

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and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

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Vitamin G is the Supplement that will Bless Your Life

Doctors have discovered that something they call Vitamin G is extremely beneficial for your overall health and well-being. It will bless your life! #Gratitude #Thanksgiving #BlessingBloggers #BlessingCounter

Rev recently shared an article from Prevention Magazine with me titled, The Healing Power of Gratitude by Jennifer King Lindley.

It begins…

“Call it Vitamin G: research shows that being grateful has a deep and lasting impact on your body. Learn how to put it to work for your health.

Lindley quotes Dr. David DeSteno:

“Making gratitude a daily practice is like taking a vitamin.

And Robert Emmons, Ph.D:

“Gratitude is affirming the goodness in one’s life and recognizing that its source lies outside the self.”

The bottom line is that gratitude is good for you! So good for you, in fact, that I believe if you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Although, I guess that’s kind of counter-intuitive!

I also love the fact that you and I can’t live our lives with gratitude if we’re focused on ourselves. It just doesn’t work. I’ve proven to myself countless times that the fastest way to knock myself into a rotten mood is to spend all day thinking about ME and MY problems. Ooooh, it can get ugly.

I mention often, it’s the reason I started Counted My Blessings … I needed a place to hold myself accountable to the ways God is at work in my life and to see His amazing grace and goodness all around me even when I misplace my rose-colored glasses.

So, let’s stop for a minute and look at some of the specific ways Vitamin G (Gratitude) will bless us…

Vitamin G is the Supplement that will Bless Your Life

Doctors have discovered that something they call Vitamin G is extremely beneficial for your overall health and well-being. It will bless your life! #Gratitude #Thanksgiving #BlessingBloggers #BlessingCounter

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will make you happier.

You and I get to choose. We can be grateful or we can be dissatisfied.

I know which one can tank my mood in a heartbeat.

“Feeling and expressing gratitude turns our mental focus to the positive, which compensates for our brains’ natural tendency to focus on threats, worries, and negative aspects of life.” ~Psychology Today

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will help you enjoy better relationships.

People like to be with happy grateful people. Think about it. With whom would rather spend an afternoon . . . someone who is happy and thankful or someone who grumbles and complains.

“The spirit of gratitude brings true joy and great happiness.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will help you succeed at work.

People work harder if their efforts are appreciated and bosses are more likely to encourage employees who acknowledge their positive leadership.

There’s an old saying that goes…

“If you want to get rid of your pastor… compliment him. He’ll work himself to death!”

I imagine if bosses gave more pats on the back and employees showed more appreciation and everyone complained less … productivity across the workforce would explode with successes.

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will make you more optimistic and hopeful.

People who are grateful have a better attitude about the future. They enjoy and appreciate what they have. Grateful people tend to worry less and look at life more positively.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will increase your desire to help others.

People who are thankful for what they have tend to notice those who are less fortunate and are more inclined to offer help.

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” ~ Henri Frederic Amiel

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will make you more satisfied.

When you are thankful for what you have you end up being less concerned about what you don’t have.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will make you more resilient.

Grateful people get over setbacks and disappointments more quickly than those who are unappreciative.

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.” ~ Steve Maraboli

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will help you reject stress and anxiety.

Thankful people worry less. Celebrating what is going well in life will help you and me think less about things that could potentially go wrong.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will help you forgive others.

People who are thankful for and celebrate God’s gift of forgiveness, let go of the past and learn from it. They forgive others more easily and have the strength to move on as they anticipate the blessings they’ll enjoy tomorrow.

 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

♥ A daily dose of Vitamin G will make you more attractive.

It is not happiness that makes you thankful. It is thankfulness that makes you happy!

Happy people smile more! And everyone looks better with a smile!

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ Gilbert C. Chesterton

Vitamin G is the Supplement that will Bless Your Life by Deb Wolf #Thanksgiving #BlessingBloggers #BlessingCounter

So, what are you waiting for?

Grab your journal or download a gratitude journal app to your phone and start making a list of things for which you are grateful.

Pray over your list and praise God for the blessings He pours into your life.

Do something every day that shows your family you are grateful for them. It doesn’t have to be a big deal … just something that says, “I’m so glad God put you in my life!”

And then remember to smile!

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

What do you do to get your daily dose of Vitamin G?

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

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A Psalm to Pray that will Bless Your Thanksgiving

I pray this Psalm speaks to your heart and mind. Let it sink in - through your thoughts and feelings, saturate your soul, and inspire thanksgiving!

Do you ever need to stop for a moment and remind yourself — it’s not about me?

Yeah, me too!

Today was one of those days.

I have to admit as I prepared to write this all I could think was, “I got nothin’!”

I can’t tell you how many words have been typed and deleted in this space.

And then I remembered — it’s not about me!

It’s about praising and thanking God. It’s about blessing counting.

If you live in the states and you’re busily preparing for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving celebration or even if it’s just another day on the calendar, I pray this Psalm speaks to your heart and mind. Let it sink in – through your thoughts and feelings.

The Life Application Bible says the following about the theme of Psalm 145:

A time will come when all people will join together in recognizing and worshiping God. Because God is full of love, He satisfies all who trust in Him.

Can you imagine that Thanksgiving celebration?!?!

Whether you can easily list hundred plus reasons to be thankful today or you have one or two things looming large that seem to overshadow whatever is good and feel like burdens too difficult to bear, stop for a moment and pray these words of David with me.

Because, well, it’s not about me and it’s not about you either.

Our thanks-giving is about God, who is:

  1. Burden bearer – He will carry this burden with you and lighten its weight if you allow Him to do so.
  2. Great – His goodness is beyond measure.
  3. Mighty and powerful throughout time and eternity.
  4. Glorious, majestic, and He is able to accomplish the miraculous.
  5. Righteous, kind, merciful, patient, loving, and compassionate.
  6. King – who reigns over all He has made now and for all eternity.
  7. Present – always near and able to hear every prayer.
  8. Provider – giving satisfaction today and hope for tomorrow.
  9. Forgiver – able to remove the burden of our sins.
  10. Promise Keeper – God keeps His promises — ALWAYS!

When I change my perspective and keep my focus on who God is and all He does there are countless reasons to be thankful whether it’s Thanksgiving or just another Thursday.

So stop – and pray Psalm 145 out loud. Absorb its words. Let it sink down deep and fill you with gratitude for the many blessings you and I enjoy as children of God.

I pray this Psalm speaks to your heart and mind. Let it sink in - through your thoughts and feelings and inspire thanksgiving! #Blessings #Thanksgiving #Psalm

Psalm 145

A Psalm to Pray that will Bless Your Thanksgiving

I will exalt you, my God and King,
    and praise Your name forever and ever.

2 I will praise You every day;
    yes, I will praise You forever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    No one can measure His greatness.

4 Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts;
    let them proclaim Your power.
5 I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor
    and Your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
    I will proclaim Your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness;
    they will sing with joy about Your righteousness.

8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone.
    He showers compassion on all His creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, Lord,
    and Your faithful followers will praise You.
11 They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom;
    they will give examples of Your power.
12 They will tell about Your mighty deeds
    and about the majesty and glory of Your reign.
13 For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps His promises;
    He is gracious in all He does.
14 The Lord helps the fallen
    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 The eyes of all look to You in hope;
    You give them their food as they need it.
16 When You open Your hand,
    You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in everything He does;
    He is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on Him,
    yes, to all who call on Him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear Him;
    He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The Lord protects all those who love Him,
    but He destroys the wicked.

21 I will praise the Lord,
    and may everyone on earth bless
His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145

Amen! And Amen!

A Psalm to Pray that will Bless Your #Thanksgiving by Deb Wolf @ Counting My #Blessings #Psalms

May every day be full of gratitude and thanks-giving!

I’m going to take the rest of the week to enjoy time with my family … so, the Link Party will run for 10 days this time!

Woo Hoo! That will give you a couple of extra days to come back and share the blog love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

7 Ways to Be Thankful – Always and No Matter What

But what if true thanksgiving is more than words and feelings? What if thanksgiving is a way to live not just a way to feel? What if it's a way of life? #Thankfulness #Gratitude #Blessings

Holiday travel has started. Families are climbing into cars and boarding planes to travel across the country to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.

And yes, the cooking has begun too. The turkeys are defrosting in the frig as side-dishes and desserts are being prepared and popped into the freezer.

If you’re like me, there will be a last-minute trip or two to the grocery store for forgotten ingredients or odds and ends.

Whew!

I want Thanksgiving to be more than food, football, and a few thankful phrases sprinkled throughout the day. I want my THANKSGIVING to overflow into December and beyond as I praise God for His immeasurable blessings.

What do you think?

How can you and I make our thankfulness bigger than words and last longer than a moment?

Paul wrote:

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Always is hard and if you’re like me, “all circumstances” sometimes feels impossible.

But what if true thanksgiving is more than words and feelings?

What if thanksgiving is a way to live not just a way to feel?

After a little digging, I found…

What if thankfulness is a way to live not just a way to feel? What if it's a way of life? #Thanksgiving

7 Ways to Be Thankful – Always and No Matter What

1. Obey God

When you and I take the law out of obedience and think of it as a loving response to all God has done for us … obedience becomes a beautiful way to express our gratitude.

Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Colossians 3:17

2. Worship God

Worship is so much more than going to church.

Worship is…

Taking our everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1 (MSG)

You and I were created to worship – to thank and praise God, the One who loves us and gives us all we need today and forever.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28

3. Pray to God

Lately, I’ve been starting my prayers “in Jesus name.” It helps me remember that it is only through Jesus that I am able to enter into the Father’s throne room of grace. Then I name specific things for which I’m thankful. Sometimes those two things alone get me past worry and fear, making it easier for me to surrender my current needs to His love and care.

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. Philippians 4:6

4. Love and Care for Others

It is just good stewardship when you and I use God’s gifts to bless others. His love never fails and it will never come to an end. His care is unique and personal. He gives us all we need to love and care for the people around us and doing so is an act of thanksgiving.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1–2

5. Surrender Completely to God

I’ll admit, I haven’t always found it easy to trust God with everything. I wanted to surrender everything to God but fear and worry always seemed to shout down my good intentions. I’ve learned surrender requires an eternal perspective. Knowing that God’s love is greater than my current circumstances and trusting His perfect love to work for my good and His glory. That’s faith-saturated thankfulness.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1

6. Share Your Faith Story

You’re a changed life, tell people about it. Tell them about forgiveness and freedom from fear . . . about love, hope, and joy. Thank and praise God by telling others about His awesome blessings.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. Psalm 9:1

7 Ways to be Thankful - Always and No Matter What #Gratitude #Thankfulness #Blessings

7. Live with Joy

Joy isn’t necessarily happiness. Joy is contentment and satisfaction found in God. What a beautiful way to give God 24/7 thankfulness. God is enough! 

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:4,6

Finally – Make Everything You Do and Say an Offering of Thankfulness

God’s love is immeasurable.  His goodness and mercy cover us. Live with eyes open and heart aware of all He is doing around you. Count your blessings. Live with gratitude.

What a difference it could make in our lives if you and I started each day offering a surrendered life to God as a thankful response to His love, grace, and mercy.

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11–14

It’s easy to think about all I’m thankful for this week of Thanksgiving, harder to continue to remember to keep that same thankful attitude a few days later, and hardest of all to have an ongoing gratitude action plan.

How I wish I didn’t get so caught up in myself. Maybe you wish that too.

I want my life to show clear evidence of who God is, all He does, and my overwhelming gratitude for making me His child.

David said it perfectly…

I trust God’s love forever and ever. God, I will thank You forever for what You have done. With those who worship you, I will trust You because You are good. Psalm 52:8–9

With God’s help, I believe I can live with thanksgiving always and no matter what!

Will you pray with me?

Father, I come to You in Jesus name. Thank you for Your immeasurable love and abundant blessings. Because of Jesus, Your grace and mercy cover me. Your love surrounds me. Make my life be an offering of thanks for who You are and all You do. I love you, Lord. I trust You. Help me obey and follow wherever You lead. Amen. 

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10 Reasons Why Being Grateful is Good for You

Being grateful is so good for you ... you might want to consider making gratitude a priority purely for selfish reasons! Seriously, it's that beneficial!

This is awesome!

Did you know that being grateful is so good for you … you might want to consider making gratitude a priority purely for selfish reasons!

Seriously, it’s that beneficial!

10 Reasons Why Being Grateful is Good for You

 1. Being grateful will make you happier.

You and I get to choose … thankful and appreciative or unappreciative and dissatisfied. I know it is impossible for me to be happy when I focus on what isn’t rather than what is.

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

Mental health professionals say:

“Feeling and expressing gratitude turns our mental focus to the positive, which compensates for our brains’ natural tendency to focus on threats, worries, and negative aspects of life.” ~Psychology Today

Being grateful is so good for you ... you might want to consider making gratitude a priority purely for selfish reasons!

2. Being grateful will bless your relationships.

We all prefer to spend our time with happy grateful people. They’re not only more fun, they’re more encouraging.

No one can be happy 100% of the time and I’m not encouraging disingenuous cheerfulness, but … even when you and I aren’t happy there are always things to be thankful for.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~Albert Schweitzer

We have so much joy before our God because of you. We cannot thank Him enough for all the joy we feel. 1 Thessalonians 3:9

3. Being grateful will help you succeed at work.

Employees work harder if their efforts are appreciated and bosses are more likely to encourage them if their positive leadership is greeted with enthusiasm.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

4. Being grateful for what is, will make you more hopeful about what may be.

When you and I enjoy and appreciate what we have today, we are more likely to believe that tomorrow will be blessed as well.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Hebrews 10:23

5. Being grateful will increase your empathy and a willingness to help.

When you and I are truly satisfied and appreciative in our own lives we are more likely to want to help those who are less fortunate.

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” –Henri Frederic Amiel

6. Being grateful will make you feel more satisfied.

When you and I are thankful for what we have we will end up being less concerned about those things we don’t have.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalm 63:5

7. Being grateful will make you more resilient.

People who live with thankfulness get over setbacks and disappointments more quickly than those who are unappreciative.

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.” ~Steve Maraboli

8. Being grateful will lower your stress levels and make you less anxious.

Thankful people worry less. When you and I celebrate what is going well we will be less inclined to feel anxious about those things that could go wrong.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

9. Being grateful will help you forgive the people who hurt you.

People who celebrate God’s gift of forgiveness with gratitude … let go of the past and learn from it, forgive others more easily, and have the strength they need to forgive others.

 Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

10 Reasons Why Being Grateful is Good for You - Counting My Blessings

10. Being grateful makes you more attractive. How cool is that!!

Thankful people smile more. Enough said!

“Choosing to smile even when you are having a bad day doesn’t mean you are being fake. It means you are choosing to focus on all the reasons you have to be thankful instead of the reasons you have to be stressed.” ~ Dave Willis

What are you waiting for?
Today is the perfect day to make a list of all the reasons you have to be thankful.

Thank God…

  • for His love.
  • for His grace and mercy.
  • for His faithful forgiveness.
  • for His provision.
  • for peace, hope, joy, patience, strength, and…

Thank your spouse…

  • for the little things they do.
  • for their love.
  • for their forgiveness.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for the blessings they bring to your family.

Thank your children…

  • for helping.
  • for being kind.
  • for making good choices.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for being a blessing to your family.

Thank your friends, your boss, your neighbors, and yes, even the stranger who helps you. You’ll be surprised at how much gratitude will bless you.

Here are a few simple ways to say “thank you.”

I appreciate your help.
I love the way you do that.
Thank you, that really made me happy.
Thank you for being there when I needed you.
That was wonderful. Thank you.
That was amazing. You bless me.

And if those aren’t enough ideas…

Here’s a great post on Shari’s Berries Blog. (Just click on the title or graphic!)

85 Ways to Say Thank You + Printables for Your Message

85 Ways to Say Thank You + Printables for Your Message

I love the printables and with 85 ideas … I’ll never be at a loss for words of thanks again!

A HUGE thank you to Julissa for telling me about this and for inviting me to share it with all of you!

Okay, now it’s your turn…

What’s your favorite way to say “thank you?”

Remember a time when saying “thank you” blessed you. 

And before you go, let’s stop and thank God simply because He is loving and good!

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and pray for others who have left requests.

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Thanks! And God bless!

How to Live Your Life to the Fullest and Be Content

Have you ever wondered if you're living life to its fullest? You're the only one who can decide what that looks like and this question will help.

Have you ever wondered if you’re really living life to its fullest?

I have.

Why?

Because Rev and I have been accused, more than once, of not living life fully.

I know you’re dying to know why, aren’t you?

Because we are content.

We are not party-ers. We don’t have to try the latest restaurant. I can’t tell you if we’ve ever been to a club. We miss most of the current movies, and can’t offer much when it comes to discussions on what’s trending on television.

We’re boring. LOL

But it makes me wonder; you know I love to wonder.

What makes people believe “living life to its fullest” means going lots of places, spending lots of money, buying lots of stuff, and knowing lots of trendy gossip?

The best definition I’ve found for a full life is: To pursue a positive, satisfying existence.

What does it take for you to have a positive, satisfying existence?

Have you ever wondered if you're living life to its fullest? You're the only one who can decide what that looks like and this question will help.

I believe a great question to ask is…

What would I do differently if I knew I only had six months to a year to live?

Because pursuing life in light of eternity changes our perspective. It changes our wants, our needs, and our passions.

If this were my last year of life:

  • I would not feel the need to acquire more stuff.
  • I would not eat more dinners out or travel to exotic places.
  • I would not watch more television or go to more movies.
  • I would spend more time with the people I love.
  • I would spend more time in the Word and in prayer.
  • I would watch more sunrises and sunsets.
  • I would take more walks and do more star-gazing.
  • I’d praise God for every moment.

The truth…

Your living life to the fullest may look very different from mine and that’s okay!

Because…

Full life living cannot be defined by anyone but you. 

You are uniquely and wonderfully made by a loving God, who made you for His plans and purposes. He wired you perfectly for your life and not for anyone else’s.  So dream big. Pursue a positive and satisfying experience.

LIVE today in light of eternity.

You will be blessed, and you will live life to its fullest.

Have you ever wondered if you're living life to its fullest? You're the only one who can decide what that looks like and this question will help.

And to inspire you . . . here are some Quotes to Help You Life Life to Its Fullest.

“Pray for and work for fullness of life above everything; full red blood in the body, full honesty and truth in the mind, and the fullness of a grateful love for the Savior in your heart.” ~ Phillips Brooks

“A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 (NCV)

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ~Melody Beattie

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

“The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift.” ~ Assorted Authors

My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Philippians 4:19 (NCV)

“True contentment is a real, even an active, virtue – not only affirmative but creative. It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it.” ~ G. K. Chesterton

Trust the Lord and do good. Live in the land and feed on truth. Enjoy serving the Lord, and He will give you what you want. Depend on the Lord; trust Him, and He will take care of you. Psalm 37:3–5 (NCV)

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” ~ Helen Keller

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

May you be blessed with contentment and fullness of life.

The One who loves you most and best created you for life—life in all its fullness!

Now it’s time for…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

Counting My Blessings

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Feature Post

I’m excited to share the following posts with you this week.

Fighting Fear When It Tries to Suck You Under

by Barb Camp

@ Second Chance to Dream

Fighting Fear When it Tries to Suck You Under by Barb Camp

and

4 Free (Spring) iPhont Lock Screens 

by Kaitlyn Bouchillon

@ Every Story Matters

4 Free iPhone Lock Screens by Kaitlyn Bouchillon

Thank you, Barb and Kaitlyn, for partying with us!

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above or link back to CMB.

[inlinkz_linkup id=709857 mode=1]

May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship! 

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and pray over the list left by our friends.

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I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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5 of the Most Important Things I Learned about Gratitude

Do you know someone who is habitually thankful? Gratitude is a choice. That's one of the important things I learned this month . . . there are 4 more.

Do you know someone who is habitually thankful? A person who just oozes gratitude?

They’re a blessing, aren’t they?

There have been so many posts are articles written about gratitude this month online and in print but I can’t help but wonder whether we’ll all just move on as we turn the calendar page tomorrow.

As I started the month, I challenged you to change your life by Counting 7 Blessings a Day for the rest of the year. You can even make it a family project. I’d love to hear how it’s going for you. And if you haven’t started yet . . . it’s not too late. Here’s a list of questions to help you. Click the graphic for a printable version.

Gratitude Questions to Help You Count Your Blessings

Now as I prepare to move to the last topic of the year, I’ve realized I can pare the month’s messages down to 5 important truths.

5 of the Most Important Things I Learned about Gratitude

1. Gratitude is a choice.

Grateful people don’t wait until they get what they want to be thankful. They choose to celebrate what they have. Even when life is hard . . . there are always things to celebrate with thankfulness.

“Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are steeped in hurt. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of complaint. There is the option to look into the eyes of the One who came out to search for me and see therein that all I am and all I have is pure gift calling for gratitude.” ~Henri Nouwen

2. Gratitude puts other people first.

Grateful people want other people to know they are appreciated not only for what they do but for who they are. They think less about themselves and want to bless others as they have been blessed.

“But to mean it when I say that I want my life to count for His glory is to drive a stake through the heart of self – a painful and determined dying to me that must be a part of every day I live.” ~Louie Giglio

3. Gratitude will make you happier.

Grateful people focus on what is more than what isn’t. That simple act alone makes a person happier. And happy appreciative people have better relationships, are more successful at work, feel better physically and mentally, and generally cope with life better than their counterparts. Seriously, you could almost be grateful for selfish reasons! Gratitude is good for you!

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

Do you know someone who is habitually thankful? Gratitude is a choice. That's one of the important things I learned this month . . . there are 4 more.

4. Gratitude is easier than you think.

Grateful people express thankfulness in simple habit-forming ways every day. They say please and thank you as soon as possible. They are encouragers who compliment more than they complain. If you need ideas of ways to make gratefulness part of each day, this will help . . . 50 Ways to Show Gratitude to the People in Your Life. 

“Every person has the power to make others happy. Some do it simply by entering a room others by leaving the room. Some individuals leave trails of gloom; others, trails of joy. Some leave trails of hate and bitterness; others, trails of love and harmony. Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism; others trails of faith and optimism. Some leave trails of criticism and resignation; others trails of gratitude and hope. What kind of trails do you leave?” ~William Arthur Ward

5. Gratitude defeats entitlement.

Grateful people are humble about what they have not puffed up about what they believe they deserve. The interesting thing is it’s impossible to enjoy any amount of lasting happiness with an entitlement attitude. So kick entitlement to the curb, be thankful, and get happy. If you want to know more . . . click here.

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.

Gratitude, therefore, takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” ~Thomas Merton

Bonus – Gratitude is a powerful way to communicate, “I love you!”

Grateful people respond with both words and actions to God’s love by not only saying “thank you” and singing His praises but by loving and appreciating the people God puts around them. When you love someone you can’t help but show them

“Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” ~John Henry Jowett

Do you know someone who is habitually thankful? Gratitude is a choice. That's one of the important things I learned this month . . . there are 4 more.

Counting My Blessings and Getting Happy

Rev has a saying he uses when he finds himself being dragged down by the difficulties of the day. It’s a phrase he started saying when he had constrictive pericarditis and lived a little more than a year with all the symptoms of congestive heart failure.

The saying goes like this…

“If I wait until I feel good and life looks perfect to be thankful and happy, I may never be thankful and happy again.”

It’s so simple and so very true.

When all I can think about is what’s wrong in my life . . . I’m robbed of joy, peace, contentment and so much more. BUT when I praise and thank God, when I live with joy, and when I express gratitude freely . . . I shine the light of God’s love which is always greater than my circumstances.

So, I will continue to count my blessings and thank the One who gives me immeasurable reasons to be thankful every day.

Finally,

And one last quote from William Arthur Ward.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

May gratitude become a joy-filled habit for each of us.

Leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

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An Entitlement Attitude Makes It Impossible To Be Happy

The best way to get over a greedy, self-serving "I deserve it" entitlement attitude is to stop thinking about ourselves and start caring for others.

Entitlement is 1) the condition of having the right to have, do, or get something 2) the feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something. 

Entitlement is the Opposite of Gratitude.

It is a greedy, self-serving “I deserve it” attitude about life.

What do you and I deserve?

I turned to the internet, where I found…

1. You deserve love.
2. You deserve happiness.
3. You deserve peace and comfort.
4. You deserve better.
5. You deserve a house, a car, and stuff.
6. You deserve to do what you want.

Entitlement says, “I want what I want, and I want it now.”  

I deserve what I want.

There is a Problem with Entitlement

The only guaranteed outcome from an entitled way of thinking is dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Read that again…

[Tweet “The only guaranteed outcome from an entitled way of thinking is dissatisfaction and unhappiness.”]

As long as you and I fixate on what we think we deserve, we will never enjoy the satisfaction and happiness we really need or want.

So let’s take a minute to see what we really deserve…

What does the Bible say we really deserve?

And Jesus said, “The things that come out of people are the things that make them unclean. All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. Mark 7:20–23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17

Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by His grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23

The best way to get over a greedy, self-serving "I deserve it" entitlement attitude is to stop thinking about ourselves and start caring for others.

Thank God, He Doesn’t Give Us What We Deserve!

But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. 1 John 1:9

Sin once used death to rule us, but God gave people more of His grace so that grace could rule by making people right with Him. And this brings life forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Aren’t you thankful God doesn’t give us what we really deserve?

It’s time to kick entitlement to the curb. 

What is the answer to getting over entitlement?

Complete and humble gratitude offered to the One who has given us more that we could ever ask or imagine.

Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God. With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:19-21

[Tweet ““Grace destroys entitlement.” ~Justin Buzzard”]

The best way to get over a greedy, self-serving "I deserve it" entitlement attitude is to stop thinking about ourselves and start caring for others.

It’s time to spend ourselves on others in response to God’s gift of grace.

The best way to get over living with a  greedy, self-serving “I deserve it” entitlement attitude is to stop thinking about ourselves and start caring for others.

And I [Paul] have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:9b-11a

Gratitude is thankfulness in action.

Remember this quote…

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” –Henri Frederic Amiel

The Blessing of Gratitude in Action

Gratitude leads to contentment and happiness.

And don’t you want to be content and happy?

Have you ever met anyone with an entitlement attitude who’s happy?

No? Me either.

It’s impossible to be happy when we are focused on ourselves.

The marketing world wants us to believe we will be happy if we get what we want but the truth is that happiness is found in being thankful for what we have.

And in Jesus, we have everything we need.

My God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Glory to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen. Philippians 4:19–20

Because of Jesus, we can believe every promise God made.

 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:19a,20

That’s reason enough to be grateful.

The best way to get over a greedy, self-serving "I deserve it" entitlement attitude is to stop thinking about ourselves and start caring for others.

So…

If you want to be happy –  kick entitlement to the curb.

If you want your children to be happy – kick entitlement to the curb.

People who believe they are entitled . . . compare and focus on what they’re lacking.

Appreciative people are happy; they see the beauty in life while others miss it. ~Richard Carlson

May we kick entitlement to the curb by living with gratitude every day.

  • Thank God for giving you everything you need in Christ Jesus.
  • Thank God for graciously meeting your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Thank God by spending yourself by caring for the needs of those less fortunate. (And for most of us, there is always someone less fortunate.)

One last quote to think about…

“When we replace a sense of service and gratitude with a sense of entitlement and expectation, we quickly see the demise of our relationships, society, and economy.” ~Steve Maraboli

Leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

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I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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50 Ways to Show Gratitude to the People in Your Life

I've compiled a list of 50 ways to show gratitude to your family, in your community, and around the world. With a few ways to actively thank God Himself.

I wasn’t feeling very thankful.

In my defense, I was pregnant and raging hormones were affecting my thinking. It seems silly in retrospect, but there I stood in the closet grumbling to myself as I moved Rev’s suits and dress pants from wire hangers back to suit hangers.

Kind of funny considering all the parenting tasks that were coming but…

That day, all I could think about was having to do something I’d reminded him about before. Everyone knows a suit loses its shape and wrinkles if it’s not on the right hanger.

And in the midst of my grumbling, I heard the Lord’s still quiet voice whisper…

“Would you prefer he wasn’t here?”

Wait! What?

NO!

God had blessed me with an amazing man. I had so many reasons to just be thankful and those six words have stayed with me forever. God’s gentle reminder . . . I could celebrate who Rev is and all the blessings he brings to my life or I can grumble about little things like hangers. I could build him up or tear him down. My choice.

Showing Gratitude is a Choice

You and I have a choice to make every day. We can focus on ourselves and grumble when the people around us aren’t meeting our expectations or we can focus on ways we are blessed through that person and show them gratitude.

I’ve compiled a list of 50 ways to show gratitude to your family, in your community, and around the world. With a few ways to thank God Himself. He placed you where you are for a reason and a wonderful way to thank Him is to live with gratitude right where you are.

One of my favorite gratitude quotes…

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” ~Henri Frederic Amiel

So let’s get started.

I've compiled a list of 50 ways to show gratitude to your family, in your community, and around the world. With a few ways to actively thank God Himself.

50 Ways to Show Gratitude to the People in Your Life

Show Gratitude at Home

  1. Make a Gratitude Jar or Board – Name specific things that have happened or that someone has done for you.
  2. Have a “Do Something for Someone Challenge” – It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just encourage everyone to look for ways to do something nice each day without being asked.
  3. Write a note to a family member telling them why you’re thankful for them.
  4. Go around the table at dinner and list ways your family blessed you that day.
  5. Say “Thank You” – Have fun with it. Make up a “thank you” song to sing to each other that’s unique to your family.
  6. Do little things you know will make them happy.
  7. Take time to listen to understand not just reply.
  8. Be patient even in this crazy busy holiday season.
  9. Forgive each other.
  10. Take an interest in a family member’s hobby or passion.
  11. Make saying “thank you” a priority before a gift can be used. Send a snail mail note or make a video and email it to the gift giver.
  12. Enjoy a date night with your spouse each week.
  13. Have one on one time with each child at least once a month.
  14. Laugh together often.
  15. Pray for family members at home and away.
  16. Talk about what they learned from a bad situation and how they might be thankful for it.
  17. Make a small handmade gift or card.
  18. When you’re angry – stop and breathe before you speak.
  19. Make home a no insult zone – even in humor.
  20. Compliment more than you complain.

Show Gratitude in Your Community

  1. Thank a friend for being there for you.
  2. Donate unused clothes, food, toys, and household items to help those in need.
  3.  Serve at a shelter or senior center.
  4. Carry $5 in your pocket to give to someone in need.
  5. Let your children see you show gratitude to those who help you. – Servers, trash collectors, checkers, receptionists, etc.
  6. Take a prayer walk in your neighborhood.
  7. Give blood.
  8. Teach a skill, language, or hobby at your community center.
  9. Help a neighbor – babysit, cut the grass, shovel the walk, cook a meal, etc.
  10. Invite someone to join your holiday celebration. – I have a friend who does this and says an added benefit is it puts everyone on their best behavior.
  11. Help your children write a thank you note to babysitters, teachers, and pastors and pray for them.
  12. Smile at strangers -“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” ~Mother Teresa

I've compiled a list of 50 ways to show gratitude to your family, in your community, and around the world. With a few ways to actively thank God Himself.

Show Gratitude Around the World

  1. Sponsor a child through World Vision or Compassion Int.
  2. Pack a Shoe Box for Operation Christmas Child.
  3. Write a thank you note to a someone serving in the military – get ideas here.
  4. Pray for those serving in missions.
  5. Help a missionary with financial support.
  6. Join Samaritan’s Purse Prayer Network.
  7. Recycle and conserve energy . . . take care of the earth.
  8.  Go on a mission trip.

Show Gratitude to God

  1. Make a list of family blessings and thank God together.
  2. Read a Psalm and give thanks.
  3. Live today – let go of the past and don’t worry about tomorrow.
  4. Love and serve the people in your life.
  5. Find 10 more ways to thank God here.

Show Gratitude Everywhere . . . Always

  1. Always be honest and kind.
  2. Be complimentary and encouraging.
  3. Offer grace – don’t expect perfection.
  4. Notice people – make eye contact.
  5. Look for the best in people.

I've compiled a list of 50 ways to show gratitude to your family, in your community, and around the world. With a few ways to actively thank God Himself.

Just for Fun

♥ Look at someone and say, “You bless me!

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4

Finally…

Another reason to count our blessings and live with gratitude.

If the World were 100 People

If we looked at the earth’s population as if it were a small community of 100 people, it would look something like this…

Gender

  • 48 male
  • 52 female

RELIGION:

  • 30 are Christian
  • 70 are non-Christian

FOOD:

  • 30 would always have enough to eat
  • 50 would be malnourished
  • 20 would be undernourished (1 would be dying of starvation)

FREEDOMS:

  • 60 can’t speak, act according to their faith and conscience due to harassment, imprisonment, torture or death
  • 40 live in a country designated as “free”
  • 12 live in a war zone

EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY:

  • 12 are unable to read
  • 7 have a college degree
  • 45 own a computer
  • 40 have an internet connection

LIVING STANDARDS

  • 33 live without basic sanitation
  • 10 have no clean, safe water to drink

If you keep your food in a refrigerator and your clothes in a closet…
If you have a bed to sleep in and have a roof over your head…
If you have people who care about you…

You are abundantly blessed. I am too! May we faithfully thank and praise God by showing our gratitude and love to Him and the people He’s placed around us.

Leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

10 Wonderful Reasons Gratitude is Good for You

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Do you want to know something funny?

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons.

Seriously, it’s that good for you!

10 Wonderful Reasons Gratitude is Good for You

Gratitude will make you happier.

You choose . . . appreciative or dissatisfied. I know which one can tank my mood in a heartbeat.

“Feeling and expressing gratitude turns our mental focus to the positive, which compensates for our brains’ natural tendency to focus on threats, worries, and negative aspects of life.” ~Psychology Today

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Gratitude will help you enjoy better relationships.

People enjoy the company of happy grateful people. Think about it. Who would prefer to spend your time with . . . someone who is happy and thankful or someone who grumbles and complains.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~Albert Schweitzer

Gratitude will help you succeed at work.

People work harder if their efforts are appreciated and bosses are more likely to encourage employees who acknowledge their positive leadership.

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” ~Wilferd A. Peterson

Gratitude will make you more optimistic and hopeful.

People who are thankful have a better attitude about the future. As they enjoy and appreciate what they have, grateful people tend to worry less and look at life through a positive lens.

“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Gratitude will increase your empathy and a willingness to help.

People who are thankful for what they tend to notice those who are less fortunate and are more inclined to offer help.

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” –Henri Frederic Amiel

Gratitude will make you more satisfied.

When you are thankful for what you have you end up being less concerned about what you don’t have.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie

Gratitude will make you more resilient.

Grateful people get over setbacks and disappointments more quickly than those who are unappreciative.

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.” ~Steve Maraboli

Gratitude will lower your stress levels and make you less anxious.

Thankful people worry less. Celebrating what is going well in life helps them think less about the things that could potentially go wrong.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

Gratitude will help you forgive.

People who are thankful for and celebrate God’s gift of forgiveness, let go of the past and learn from it, forgive others more easily, and have the strength to move on.

 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Gratitude will make you more attractive.

Thankful people smile more. Enough said!

“Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich

10 wonderful reasons to be grateful.

So, what are you waiting for?

Thank God..

  • for His love.
  • for His grace and mercy.
  • for His faithful forgiveness.
  • for His provision.
  • for peace, hope, joy, patience, strength, and…

Thank your spouse…

  • for the little things they do.
  • for their love.
  • for their forgiveness.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for the blessings they bring to your family.

Thank you children…

  • for helping.
  • for being kind.
  • for making good choices.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for being a blessing to your family.

Thank your friends, your boss, your neighbors, and yes, even the stranger who helps you. You’ll be surprised at how much gratitude will bless you.

Here are a few simple ways to say “thank you.”

I appreciate your help.
I love the way you do that.
Thank you, that really made me happy.
Thank you for being there when I needed you.
That was wonderful. Thank you.
That was amazing. You bless me.

Okay, now it’s your turn…

What’s your favorite way to say “thank you?”

When has saying “thank you” been a huge blessing?

What’s your best reason for saying “Thank you?”

Now take a few minutes and before you show your gratitude to anyone else, tell God just how thankful you are for who He is and all He does.

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Now it’s time for…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

Faith'nFriends RB

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Feature Post

I’m excited to share the following posts with you this week.

One Thing You Can’t Ignore When Overcoming Shame

by Lori Schumaker

@ Searching for Moments

One Thing You Can't Ignore When Overcoming Shame

and

Who God Says You Are!

by Crystal Twaddell

@ Cultivating a Life of Intention and a Legacy of Hope

You Are Who God Says You Are!

Thank you, Lori and Crystal, for partying with us!

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab the Button or link back to CMB.

[inlinkz_linkup id=674773 mode=1]

May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship! 

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and pray over the list left by our friends.

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I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

God Is For Us

Romans 8

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

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