Devotions based on Trevor Hudson’s book, Discovering our Spiritual Identity

We are made more aware of God’s presence when we choose to be constantly thankful. In the Word we are told to be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances. I Thess. 5:16-18. Gratitude is a choice. In whatever circumstances we are in, we are given the freedom to choose our response. Instead of saying, why did this happen to me, we can ask, What is there to be thankful for that we can use in constructing a new future?  The example given is of a pastor whose daughter died at the age of 10. He could have allowed this tragedy to make him bitter and despairing. But he chose to think of his daughter as a gift given by God and be thankful for each of those 10 years he had her. He chose the way of gratitude.

Let us focus is on the positive. Gratitude is not some duty it is a response to the sheer giftedness of our lives. What do we have that has not ultimately been given? Let us not take things for granted. Let our posture towards life not be one of grabbing and demanding but one of receiving and celebrating. It is good to pause during our day to give thanks to God for every sign of His goodness.