I think it only appropriate to talk about Thankfulness this time of year. The holiday season is upon us, Thanksgiving only a week away. Growing up in the world as it is today is a scary place for a lot of teenagers. It seems like the whole world is focused on the economy and what difficult times we are in.
I want to encourage you, to have an “attitude of gratitude”, yes even in the mist of these tough times. You may be thinking: “You don’t know how bad things are in my life.” And perhaps you are right, I may not know the specifics of your circumstances, however, I do know a God who does! God knows everything you are going through right this very moment. That alone is something to be grateful for; you are not alone. God will never leave you or forsake you, trust him to see you through and guide your steps.
Be encouraged, I want to share with you some things you can do, when times are really tough! Be thankful…. yes, be Thankful! I want to challenge you to make a “gratitude list”. This is a list where you write down the things you are thankful for, big and small. Sometimes it is the small things that mean the most to us. After you write this list, I want to challenge you to read it completely through once a day, preferably before you start your day, or right before you go to bed. By doing this you are setting your mind in a place to be thankful for all that God has blessed you with, and not what you do not have in your life at the moment. Giving attention to what you have to be thankful for will allow you to consider “how well off” you really are. Keep adding to your list as you remember things to be thankful for. Soon you will realize that your new “attitude of gratitude” has helped shape the way you see things everyday. You will find yourself filled with joy rather than despair.
I pray for you now in Jesus name, that you will find peace in the mist of hard times, knowing that there is a God who loves you and will bless you despite what is happening in our economy. To get you started: you can be thankful that you have a computer and can tap into this site for prayer and encouragement, knowing that someone truly cares for you and is faithfully praying for you…now you finish your list……
Tags: attitude gratitude, hard times, holiday season, thankful, thankfulness, tough times
Hey Lucy…
You remind me of my new “mom” i have.
God has blessed me with a family I love very much and praise God for almost everyday.
My mom has been helping me through alot with being in foster care and such and you saying something about a gratititude list is right on.
Everytime I go thru something tough she will stop me and make me list
of all I am grateful for.
THanks.
This has recently been coming up everywhere,the topic of thankfulness . Its so true even though some people maybe going through things that are hurting them so much, theres so much to be thankful for.
Romans 8.28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” =)
great article! everyone should read this! one question for lucy ann. I basically have a shopping addiction problem. it is not like, a disease, but I always want to go shopping!!! How can I still go shopping, but make it like, a treat. I really need help. I need an attitude of gratitude!!!
Hi! Me and my parents have been having some arguments lately, and most of them are because of me not being obidiant. Or being cheeky or talking back. And trouble with my school work and in class. I think its because of me not being thankful enough, then i start getting like a preppy little rich girl. I dont know what to think, is it me just not happy, and wanting to go back home to my friends in New Zealand, or just me being lazy somehow… But I dont know… I dont know how you could help me either, but maybe if you understood this with your axpiriences, or though other girls that have talked to you, could you game me a bible verse that would help me?
”first comment!! woot!!”
Hey Girls….I just want to say that I think you are all awesome!!! Thanks for sharing your struggles and your testimonies with us! I will address each one….so bear with me as I share my heart with you girls…..
DONNA: Praise God that he has placed you in a loving home with a mom that cares for you…what a way to start your gratitude list. Keep close to God and your mom and watch God work wonders in your life…I am thankful for YOU!!!
TERESA: I am thankful to hear that you have a thankful heart and recognize the benefits of staying in an attitude of gratitude..Keep seeing life throught those eyes, and you will truly be blessed. Thanks for being a blessing to us today..
JAM: I am glad you enjoyed the article…as far as your shopping problem….Thank God that you are becoming aware that it is a problem for you. Perhaps as you practice what we talked about in the article..being thankful for the things in your life…you will come to realize that you do not need any more “stuff”. Ask God to reveal to you what the real reason behind your shopping compulsion really is. Take a look around to see all the “things” you already have including clothes, makeup, videos, CD’s etc… and you will soon realize that you most likely have more than you really need. As far as making shopping a “treat” …try not shopping for a period of time ( that time period is up to you) then “reward” yourself for being diciplined… and perhaps treat yourself to “one” thing.. and it does not have to be a major purchase. I trust as you pray and ask God to help you in this area of your life…he certainly will, for his word says that he is an ever present help in our time of need. I will be praying for you. Thanks so much for sharing!
COOKIE; First off the bible does command us to honor our mother and fathers…and this is so that it will be well with YOU! You are not alone in this area, many teenagers struggle with this. I will encourage you, however, the sooner you overcome this area of struggle, you will see God move in great ways throughout other areas of your life. It sounds like recently you may have had a move from another country…that is major, and the separation you are feeling from your friends is again, very normal and very real. It may be you are taking out some of those feelings on your parents and not realizing that is what you are doing. Here is a scripture for you: 2Corthinians 10:5 —look it up—basically it instructs us to take all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. So when thoughts of ungratefullness, or rebellion, or laziness come floating to your mind, take them captives and think wholesome thoughts, whatever is good, and trustworthy, think on these things …says the word of God. Remember thoughts are just thoughts…you do not have to act out on them. I trust God will help you overcome this situation, keep praying, keep asking God to help you and guide you. You are special and God wants to do great things in and through your life. Trust him, trust your parents, and stay close to the Lord. Blessings.
GIRLS: I am praying for you all and I am VERY thankful for you too. God bless. BTW …you all are on my gratitude list!!!!
Hi sister Lucy!Thank you for the articles..it’s really encouraging!! lately a lots things happened in my life…it’s really tough for me to go through it..i cried and asked God why its happen to me at this point of time…Yet God never leave me..He is always here for me. In Job 36:15 God is not deaf to our cries and is in control of this world no matter how things look.I believe God allow all this happened for He has His reasons.I’m thankful that God bring me through this season of time.He has thought me a lots of lesson and opened my eyes to see through a lots of things.Thank you!! =)
Thank you! Thank you! i couldnt even express how this helped me. All my girls on my swim team are having a hard time since we found out about a case of cancer on our team. A great, caring, loving, young girl was just diagnosed with bone cancer. She Is a fighter and all i can do is pray that she will make it. I know she is in Gods hands but i am really struggling. I just cant think of why it had to be her. I will pray and return to your site again hoping to read another wonderful devo. Thank you a bunch!
Julie,
Thank you for writing in. I will be praying for your girls… Keep up the good work with them, let them know that God loves them and we here are praying for you all. I pray God’s strength and wisdom over you, may you have the courage you need to see your team through this tough time. God is able to meet all your needs, far beyond what you can imagine. Be encouraged, keep the faith. … God Bless
hmm.. I want to start my list of things to thank for by thanking God for leading the cursor of my mouse in this site. Lately I’ve been having a difficulty in our house that really affects me. But God used this site to be an encourager for me as I overcome my trial. By the way, this is my first time to leave a comment on an article… I guess it’s not an accident.. More blessings!!! I pray that many girls would be encouraged also and be blessed through you just what I’ve experienced…
God will really make a way where there seems to be no way!!!
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for us.
He will be our guide, hold us closely to His side.
With love and strength for eah new day, He will make a way.
Micah, thanks for sharing your thought with us, I pray that God will continue to draw you closer to him and reveal all that you have to be thankful for. Blessings!
Thank you i really needed to be reminded about Thankfulness today. I forget quite often about just how richly i am blessed. I want to share with you something that happened to me this past year that helps me remember to hang in there and cling to God. And to stay strong through the storm and ride it out. I pray that it dose the same for you. About a month ago or so, i was sitting at a computer at the library during a study hall. (So you can better understand my story let me give you some important details.) I live in Ohio and the wheather here SUCKS! The computer i was sitting at was near the HUGE wall of windows that on a normal sunny day the sun would be pouring in through. But that day it was cloudy, and the weather wasn’t supposed to clear up the rest of the week. I was felling really down that day, and sitting there at the computer i cried out to God! After i as i prayed, the clouds seperated and for just a momment the sun shined through and warmed my face. Then the Lord gentaly and sweetly whispered upon my heart this quote, “Even though the skies are cloudy, the sun still shines.” I just about started crying right there in the middle of the library! Through the sun He revealed to me that even when the “skies” of life seem cloudy and there just dosen’t seem to be any hope. The sun still shines, behind the clouds the sun is there. That is God’s love, He is the sun in all of our lives that continually shines. God is always there He is never not. I hope that helped all of you. Be Blessed,
even now as i read through,i’m at the verge of crying bcos i’m goin through some challenging times but i thank God for what i read.i got separated about 2years ago and in my country(nigeria)that is like having leprosy.i thank God for my parents and siblings but some relatives around are really bent on making life hell.though sometimes i react to them,i thank Godfor the grace to control myself at other times like now.God bless u and everyone who’s shared her experience.Peace
one secret of gratitude i’ve learnt is that the more u thank God in the face of trials and setbacks,the more ur joy and courage(strength) to move on with God.That’s why the devil will always want hinder God’s children from being gratful
Angel,
Keep looking to God. God is your peace and strength in times of trouble.
This helped me a lot thanks!
These articles are truly helping me! I haven’t really been feeling the spirit lately so I’ve been searching for something to remind me how awesome God is. These devotions have stood out, and I think they will stay with me. Many readers are sharing stories so I’ve decided to also. A few months ago I had a major spinal operation to correct scoliosis. My family and I had been anticipating this surgery for 5 months and I started getting pretty scared a few weeks before the big day. In addition to me being scared, a few days before my surgery everything seemed to crumble. My parents got in a huge fight (considering divorce) and we’re not in speaking conditions. My sister has always been the wild child but she did something pretty horrible 2 days before the surgery(Saturday), so on top of my parents not speaking to each other, my parents weren’t really speaking to my sister either. I was really scared then, and felt alone. But I got on my knees and prayed on that same Saturday and asked got to help me and to help my family. I looked up tons of bible verses trying to find one that really caught my heart. (Psalm 121 turned out being the one that comforted me and brought me to tears). After everything, all four of us still went to church that Sunday. (We wouldn’t have (considering the tension) if it weren’t for my operation) All four of us ended up on the alter together, crying, and praying. My family was brought together, and then brought together even more the following week when I was in the hospital. God really does listen, and answer our prayers in the most amazing ways.
Anna,
Thanks for sharing you story with us! It is always encouraging to hear how God is at work in our lives! We are praying for you and your family! Ps 121 is one of my favorites, and like you, has gotten me through some really tough times in my life. Thanks again for sharing! Keep your eyes on Jesus