Few things are worth our time and effort more than creating a habit of gratitude. Gratitude may come easier for some people than others, but I do whole-heartedly believe that if you choose it often enough, it starts to change you from the inside.
Life can be hard; it can be inconvenient and downright grueling at times, but I want to share something that has become very real to me this year more than any other. When you are in the midst of hardship (regardless if it’s relational, financial, emotional, health-related, or anything else) that moment in time is your opportunity to give thanks in all circumstances as the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Once that circumstance revolves, you won’t have another chance to give thanks in that moment. I often think about what Malachi 3:16 says, and it means so much to me:
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
When you can look hardship in the face and decide to praise God in the midst of it, that is when you are storing up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy (Yeshua (Jesus) teaches about this in Matthew 6:19-34). Can you imagine that our Creator is paying attention to what we say and then having a book of remembrance scribed before Him? Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. Remember this today, no matter what you’re going through.