Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

 

So many mornings, we open our eyes and already feel behind.

Nathan woke to angry emails, missed deadlines and a schedule that was booked solid until 9 pm. Maria woke to three hungry children, a crying baby and a house that was still cluttered from a long day yesterday. What is there to be thankful for in my life, either of them might have wondered? Now we know gratitude powerfully reshapes our thinking, positioning us to experience joy. But it can feel like an uphill battle to so much as whisper words of gratitude when complaining and deep sighs of exhaustion are more natural.

Where does gratitude fit when it doesn’t come naturally? God talks to us about the role of gratitude in our lives, fully aware of how difficult it can be to muster up thanks when we’re tired, hungry, or hurting. Jesus’s life as a human was all about sharing the realities of living with us. Knowing there would be difficult days, He gave us gratitude to help our minds continue to see good, even in hardship. Gratitude doesn’t deny the difficulties or grief. But giving thanks for whatever blessings you can find helps the eyes of your heart look beyond those difficulties, remembering that there is also good.

Scripture tells us that “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3a) so this is why it also tells us this: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).

In the same breath, you can pour out your crushing worries and needs while thanking God for His promise to give you all that you need for today.