Let’s be honest, life is hard, and it seems like it’s getting harder and harder for us to live these days. With world uncertainty, political instability, inflation, the cost of living, not to mention our own personal trials and tribulations, it can be hard to find good things to think about. But the Apostle Paul calls us to consider what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
Many years ago, I read a book called 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It was a book that changed my life. The premise behind this book is to spend your day listing everything you’re grateful for, whether it’s a beautiful sunset, the birds chirping outside, or the sun shining brightly. I think sometimes we feel like only the “big things” are worthy of appreciation, but in reality, even the most insignificant moments that impact our lives throughout the day are worthy of praise. I think we can take everything we breathe for granted, especially when we’re healthy, but isn’t the value of gratitude less high when we’re breathing healthily? Or, on the other hand, you may feel that the only thing you can be grateful for in life is every breath you take. We may find it very difficult to be grateful for anything, especially when anxious thoughts are paralyzing us.
I recently read the poem “Busy: Finding God in the Whirlwind” written by Juanita Ryan, who wrote this poem after caring for an elderly friend, in a Life Guide Bible study I am conducting. She witnessed her friend’s determination to walk the few steps from her bedroom to the bathroom and how she viewed each step as a gift. With each step, her friend said, “Thank you, thank you.” I will share some excerpts here. I say this because I think it captures what it means to think about what is good.
“”thank you. Thank you,” she said.
I offer you her soft-spoken hymns.
Every time she takes a step.
97 years old, clutching a walker,
While I was holding her
She walked in gratitude and wonder.
Like a toddler joyfully taking its first steps.
Every step is a gift and counts.
Walker kept his body firmly in place and moved.
Being grateful kept her mentally stable and grounded.
In the flow of grace that is here and now…
“Thank you. Thank you.”
I found myself whispering to you
over and over again throughout the day,
I realized that my eyes were open to what was overflowing.
Grace and blessings in every moment,
How I feel myself riding the flow of your joy,
How can you use a gratitude walker?
To stabilize your mind, spirit, body and soul, and keep your feet on the ground.
Join us here and now in your glorious presence.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
I was very shocked by this poem. Here this kind woman, bent over at 97 years old, cracked with age, still found a reason to praise God. She kept God’s goodness in mind with every step, no matter how small and slow. She did not allow anxious thoughts about all the things she could no longer do to infiltrate her outlook on life, and instead reflected on all the things that were good in her life in the here and now.
On my desk is a framed quote (author not shown) that says, “Be happy in this moment. This moment is your life.” The Lord Jesus came so that we could live an abundant life. When we are overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, we are robbing ourselves of the abundant life for which the Lord died. Instead, focus on all the good gifts God has in your life every minute of every day. If you look for these gifts in your daily life and develop the habit of cultivating gratitude, you will overcome any anxious thoughts in the process. After all, it is said that you cannot occupy your mind with anxious thoughts and grateful thoughts at the same time. Apparently it’s physiologically impossible. So why not fill your heart with gratitude and eliminate anxious thoughts?
Overcome anxious thoughts by always rejoicing in the Lord, praying with thanksgiving, and focusing on good things.
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