Written by Terri Savelle Foy, a contemporary writer.
Years ago, when I was faced with the most difficult time in my life, the last thing I wanted to do was express gratitude. For what? I thought. I have nothing to be thankful for! Nothing. My life is falling apart. My marriage is falling apart. I have no peace. I’m miserable! Those were my dominant thoughts. I desperately needed a turnaround. One day, I heard a minister say, “Stop looking at everything you’ve lost in your life and start looking at everything you have left. And start thanking God for it.” It was late one evening when I walked into my kitchen and with tears pouring down my cheeks, I forced myself to lift my hands and say, “Thank You, Father, for…” I had to pause and think. What do I have to be thankful for? Surely there was one thing. And then it dawned on me. “Thank You, Father, for my precious little redheaded girl sleeping upstairs. I prayed for a baby after losing one, and then you gave me the very desire of my heart, Lord.” I walked around the kitchen, and another thought came to me. “Thank You, Father, for my best friend. She knows everything I’m going through and she still loves me, encourages me, and believes in me.” And I persisted, “Thank You, Lord, for my job. I am so grateful I didn’t lose my job with all this turmoil going on in my life.” The laps around the kitchen continued. “Thank You, Jesus, for this house I live in. I’m so grateful I get to live here.” Each time I voiced my gratitude, the sadness felt like it physically lifted off me. The misery would fade. And joy would be released in my heart. It was a tangible feeling of breathing lighter and experiencing greater peace.
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. [Philippians 4:6]
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