I feel encouraged by all of you who read my gratitude challenge last weekend and responded to it with a “Yes, I’m in” or in some other way acknowledged you were joining the group.
I’ve done previous gratitude challenges but definitely need a refresher. Seasonal affective depression hits me every fall. In the holiday season leading up to Thanksgiving and continuing until the end of the year, grumbling is easier than gratitude. I tend to list my failures rather than count my blessings.
Yesterday, I confess, I practiced quite a bit of grumbling. After sleeping a few hours, I woke up and could not get back to sleep. What can I be thankful for? I asked. I could think of two things.
“Thank you, Jesus, for silence,” I said. “Thank you for being with me. I don’t know the answer to . . . (I shared one overwhelming problem) but you do. I give this to you. Forgive me for grumbling.”
Soon after that, I fell asleep. When I woke up this morning, I knew very clearly what I needed to do about that one problem, that something which has felt like a huge failure. “Thank you, God, for your wisdom!” I prayed.
If like me you’ve already spent a day in this challenge doing more grumbling than expressing gratitude, I hope you will not give up. God is for you, not against you. Know that ” The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Psalm 103:8 NLT).
I too suffer from SADD but this year it has been lessened by my work in a 12 step program and helping others. God has given me a compassionate heart and I find helping others has given me a new perspective. I pray that He will give me strength and guidance in all my blessings. I am blessed today and full of gratitude.
Thank you for sharing this, Doreen. I hope my other viewers read your comment! I’m so glad you have the support of others through a 12 step program and that your heart is full of gratitude.
Thank you Jane for the reminder….you are Not alone!
That’s encouraging to know, Diane!