The Gratitude Muscle! A 5 Day ChallengeSample

Have you ever resisted an idea initially before embracing it eventually?

I once resisted the idea of a daily gratitude practice. I even resisted the Scripture's calling to thank God at all times.

Today, one of my favorite Scriptures about gratitude is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."Seeing words like "always" and "all circumstances" may be tough to read if you're having a painful or difficult experience, but consider this.

There is a distinct difference between being thankful in all circumstances and being grateful for everything. This distinction is essential, especially as we live in a world that treats gratitude as a feeling or an idea based only upon certain circumstances.

The people of Thessalonica were experiencing challenging times. Local government officials and many of their neighbors persecuted the followers of Jesus, leading to several deaths. Gratitude was far from easy for the believers, and "giving thanks in all circumstances" meant these men and women had to stretch like they hadn't previously.

For the Thessalonian church, gratitude wasn't their natural inclination. This passage reminds us that gratitude doesn't have to be a product of our feelings or circumstances, though that's where we have the most experience. Gratitude can be an intentional practice. Despite its discomfort, gratitude can be a discipline or an exercise we consciously choose. God empowers us to sustain this practice. Even during hard times, this practice keeps our eyes focused on God's unchanging character.

At the beginning of this reading plan, I shared with you that I discovered the power of gratitude in circumstances that felt far from ideal. Working three jobs without any weekends off for months on end is something other than what I'd recommend. I felt exhausted and, at times, humiliated. It seemed like my marriage was suffering, and my sense of hope was slipping. There wasn't much to celebrate. What on earth about this situation was there to be grateful for?!

Yet, it was in that very circumstance that I learned to give thanks to God. During those long shifts and short nights, I started choosing joy, and I found myself praying continually. I knew I needed strength beyond my natural capacity. I didn't thank God for the poop I had to clean up outside our store or the bloodshot eyes I saw in the mirror on many mornings.

However, I began to see the opportunities those circumstances provided me, and I noticed how I grew and changed in the process. For those things, I could rejoice. In those moments, I could pray. For those gifts, I could be grateful.

The intentional approach to gratitude is far harder than the feeling approach. But it's the only approach I've found that makes me the person I want to be! When gratitude shifts from a seasonal activity I do for a few days in November to a muscle I exercise all year long, I see the transformation in my life. My circumstances may not have changed, but God is making me more of the man I want to be.

Keep adding to your list and looking for reasons to give thanks, no matter what happens today.

It's been an honor to share with you over these five days. Click here to continue receiving encouragement from me, including complimentary access to my 21-day gratitude muscle challenge today.