(published in The Secret Place: Devotions for Daily Worship, Fall 2019 & the November 2023 Bethel Beacon, newsletter of Salix Bethel United Methodist Church)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
One day I was having a bit of a pity party. I can’t remember if I was having arthritic pain that day, someone said something hurtful, or what I was going through at that particular moment. But I was feeling sorry for myself. Have you ever done that?
On this particular occasion, I decided to make a list of things I am thankful for…family, old friends, new friends, hobbies I enjoy, past experiences that happened for the good, things that thankfully didn’t happen, things I can do without assistance (walk, talk, breathe, eat), my job, my church, childhood memories, mentors, food, a bed, a roof over my head, a safe neighborhood, health, laughter, my salvation, knowing Jesus…and the list goes on. In fact, I came up with more than 140 blessings in a matter of minutes!
What was the result of this writing exercise? I realized that it’s much harder to feel sorry for myself when I remember all my blessings and what an amazing, loving God I serve.
Feeling down? Try it! Make a list of all the things you can be grateful for and about. Once you get started, you might be surprised at how wonderfully blessed you really are. Even if you’re not feeling blue, November is a wonderful month to count our blessings. Well, actually…ANY month is!
PRAYER:
Ever giving and gracious God, thank you for the countless blessings You provide. May we not take You and all You’ve given us for granted, regardless of how we feel that day or what season of life we’re living. Amen.
