How to Stay Positive with a Grateful Heart Devotional

Struggling to keep a Grateful Heart?

Seeking more joy in your life? I have some advice that may help. We can learn to stay more positive with a grateful heart. I wanted to put together this devotional for those days that no matter what we do, the enemy tries to take our joy. Do you have those days that you try everything to stay positive, but one thing after another quickly exhausts your ‘Happy Tank’? I searched for the Bible verse that spoke to me and comforted me while having one of those moments and came across 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 
Thessalonians 5: 16-18

The bible calls for us to rejoice evermore! Synonyms for evermore, are always and forever. That is rejoicing in the bad, as much as we rejoice in the good. Always rejoicing is easier said than done. But, if we also pray without ceasing, and give thanks for every blessing that He has bestowed on us, over time we will notice our days more and more filled with joy and peace. 

You know when you have something planned, but God has another? I had a different intention for today’s devotion, but God had it on my heart to share this struggle so I hope this inspires your heart. 

Here are some pointers to try for starting your day off with a grateful mindset.

• Start your morning thanking God for 5 things you are grateful for. Some examples can be as simple as having a roof over your head, food to eat, or a loving family.
• Be grateful for the small things. Learning to appreciate the simple joys, like when your pet greets you at the door. That cup of coffee your significant other prepared for you.
• Be grateful for things and people while you still have them. Too often we make the mistake of not truly appreciating people or things in our lives until we lose them.

Reflection:

What can you be more grateful for? Are you being mindful and noticing the small things you may be taking for granted? I challenge you to make a list of things you are grateful for and keep those at the forefront of your mind when you begin to feel overwhelmed.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all the blessings in our lives. I ask you to bless everyone reading this and fill their hearts with joy. In these hard times where we feel overwhelmed, please help us to remember how blessed we truly are and to keep a grateful heart. Lord, help us to grow in our relationship with You. Help focus our thoughts on the things above. We ask when those negative feelings start coming to take our joy that You help us remember, You are God, You are in control, and You have blessed us beyond measure. You gave us the gift of life when we gave our lives to You. And for that alone, we are eternally grateful and give thanks. Let us go forward from today with a grateful heart,

Amen