The Better Choice
Special Gratitude Edition
Guest Post by Jennifer Gray
Ahhhh! Fall has always been my favorite time of the year…cooler temperatures (if reading this in Texas, hopefully cooler than 80 degrees), football, jeans and long sleeve t-shirts, pumpkins and pumpkin spice lattes (though my new fav is pumpkin cream cold brew), my favorite holiday of Thanksgiving. But as much as I love fall, every year for the past 13 years, as it rolls around, I battle a deep sadness and once again grieve losses that seem to always be magnified by the season of fall. I grieve the death of an almost 20-year marriage as September 2012 was the month the judge declared divorce was finalized. October, though it is my birthday month, also was my ex-husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. Though I do get to celebrate our son’s birthday in October, I also remember his Diaversary (the day our lives changed with his diagnosis of type 1 diabetes). And let’s not forget Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday yet now having had to learn to adjust to sharing the holidays either with their dad or now as adults their significant other. And don’t even get me started on the feelings of being extra “single” with Hallmark movies right around the corner, reminding me that I am extra single. Now I don’t say all of that to seek sympathy or even empathy, but to recognize the reality that life is hard this side of heaven. Sometimes it can be hard to be thankful.
But I do have a choice! I can choose to focus on all the negatives and wallow in self-pity over all my losses or I can make the BETTER CHOICE. I can choose to be grateful. I can choose to be thankful. I can choose to remember all the countless blessings God has given me. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (Amplified Bible), “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances], be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
Choosing gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the blessings we have in our lives. Above everything I am so very thankful for my salvation, my personal relationship with Jesus. To be honest, nothing can compare with this. Anything more than this is like the “cherry” on top of the proverbial sundae. The free gift of salvation is the foundation to all of the blessings in life. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.” What are some of these blessings? Being a child of God (John 1:12), the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), a new identity (2 Corinthians 5:17), eternal life (John 3:16), and the gift of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16) just to name a few. And there are endless other blessings for which we can be thankful: our families - birth or church, our health, our homes, our jobs, friends that encourage and lift us up on hard days, a beautiful sunrise or breathtaking sunset. We have so much for which to be thankful!
What I have had to do, especially when the temptation to complain and whine sneaks up, is to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of my life and spend some time with my Savior. I have to remind myself of TRUTH. I pour out my heart journaling to the Lord any heavy emotions and feelings, and then I go to the Bible, His love letter to us, seeking God’s provision and character that changes my “stinkin’ thinkin’”. My perspective changes, and my heart changes toward the positivity it needs. Lamentations 3:21-23 says, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Here we see the importance of WHAT we call to mind. When we recall God’s truths, we will live a much healthier and more contented life. When we may not feel like being grateful, choosing to “offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving” (Psalm 50:14) demonstrates trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. When I sit down and write down three things for which I am grateful, my mind shifts and I am able to recognize His faithfulness in providing and caring for my needs. I am able to trust Him more with my life and loved ones. I am reminded that when I “trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all my heart and do not rely on my own insight or understanding, in all my ways knowing and acknowledging and recognizing Him, He will make my paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block my way].” (Proverbs 3:5-6 – Amplified Bible)
So, I encourage you to consider whether you are prone to “stinkin’ thinkin’” or not. What is your favorite truth from the Scriptures you “call to mind” to help you remember God’s character and provision? Do you have a gratitude journal? If not, it is not too late to start. Consider making the BETTER CHOICE today and going forward to record three things for which you are thankful every day. It becomes stones of remembrance for which we can thank Him. I promise you that you will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
