Do you want to be happier? Especially during this busy holiday season?
Thankfulness has the power to change everything.
If you’re like me you’re thinking, tell me something I don’t already know. You’ve heard it a thousand times, especially in November. But wait. Read on.
Thankfulness changes attitudes. It changes relationships. It changes atmospheres. It changes outlooks. It changes individuals. It changes groups. It changes families.
It changes me.
But for thankfulness to really change things, (including you and me) it must be expressed. You have to say it.
Too many of us feel it, but never say it. What good does that do?
No one benefits from unexpressed gratitude. My parents don’t benefit from my gratitude for them, if I never express it. My husband doesn’t benefit from my gratitude for him, if I never tell him. My kids don’t get blessed if I never tell them how thankful I am for them. My friends and co-workers will never know I’m grateful they’re in my life if I don’t speak the words, “I’m thankful for you”.
It’s not merely feeling thankful that changes relationships, attitudes, and circumstances; it’s expressing it.
And here’s an even more powerful truth: Even when I don’t feel thankful, when I say it, I start to feel it.
Maybe that’s why they call it “Giving Thanks”.
Last year I had an “ah-ha” moment as I read 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
God tells me to give thanks, not for His benefit, but for mine! I’m happier if I’m thankful (so is everyone around me!) It’s a fact. I don’t have to be thankful for all circumstances, but I can give thanks in all circumstances.
[bctt tweet=”When our gratitude goes public, our perspective goes positive.” username=”donnajonesspeak”]So what are you thankful for this holiday season?
Will you say it?
In fact, start expressing your thanks right now by leaving a comment below.
You might just find your thankfulness changes everything. Including you.
[bctt tweet=”Thankfulness has the power to change everything.” username=”donnajonesspeak”]
Donna, I’m thankful for you and the insights you share from the Lord. I’m thankful for God’s and your timing. This will be our first Thanksgiving with my precious mom being in heaven after living with us for eight years. It will also be the first time that our sweet son can’t be home since grad school is too far away. I’m really missing both of them, but still, I’m thankful that the Lord gave them to me. I will be blessed to share the day with my beloved husband and wonderful daughter. Thank you for always encouraging and teaching us. May the Lord fill your heart with joy!
Sue, I LOVE how you’ve focused on what you are thankful for, even in the midst of some less than ideal circumstances. I am praying that you will experience the love of Christ, especially today. 🙂
I am thankful for experiences! Without them, we would not be able to embark on this crazy journey called GROWTH. I am thankful I can FEEL my feelings to navigate through healing. I am thankful that I have a job that contributes to loving children whom are struggling in their own ways. Donna- I met you at a Women’s retreat and I still follow your posts. I am thankful for you and that you continue to touch lives!
Wow!I’m inspired by your list of things you are thankful for. And I am thankful for you and your kind words to me. 🙂
Wow!!! I am so thankful and grateful that you choose to share your gifts with us. Your “ah-ha” moments are truly God inspired! In our home we have a saying/phrase, “an attitude of gratitude.” I don’t know who came up with this saying/phrase, but I love it! Our children have heard it for years and still say it themselves. Now, we have grand babies and they hear it now from our son. My hubby Chris and I started saying this when we realized that raising our children in South Orange County was not going to be the easiest thing to be undertaking. However, we are thankful and grateful to be able to raise them in an area that is safe, and beautiful! Not everyone as you know gets the blessing of living in such an awesome area! Along with the thankfulness and gratefulness, we pray for those less fortunate than us! I know you, Senior Pastor JP Jones, your children, Crossline Community Church and staff live this everyday and gives back! I also know you are very humble Donna! You are beautiful inside and outside and an inspiration to so many women, men, (young and old) boys, girls and children.