Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Count Your Blessings - 12 Tips To Finding Joy


To read Tip #1, Smile and Laugh, click here
To read Tip #2,  Be Careful What You Think, click here





3. Count Your Blessings - Be Thankful.   When we lose our joy we tend to become inward focused.  We only see ourselves and our own suffering and problems.  When this happens we tend to complain and become bitter and resentful because we cannot do or do not have something that we desire. When we are at our lowest, the bills are piling up; our spouse may be out work; the kids are sick; you may have a chronic illness or pain; a loved one is dying; you are overwhelmed from the weight of life itself, it can be extremely difficult to be thankful let alone try to think of something to be thankful for.


Changing the way we think can make our life much more enjoyable by choosing to be continually thankful for the things that bring us joy and happiness.  We need to make the best of what we currently have; always remember that we have something to be thankful for.  If you know Jesus as your personal Savior, be thankful for His saving grace. If you had food and water today, be thankful for His sustenance. If you slept in a bed last night, be thankful for the comfort and rest it provided. If you have a roof over your head, be thankful for the shelter He provided. If you have family, be thankful you are not an orphan.

Part of our daily routine should be a journal of thanksgiving. Every day we need to count our blessings and write them in a journal. When we are busy counting our blessings we are not focusing on our problems, and our suffering. As we continue with our thankful journal, we can even be thankful for the pain and suffering because they have made us a stronger person by strengthening our faith and our hope.

“These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” 1 Peter 1:7,8



As I close for today, I would like to share a precious prayer of thanksgiving: (click here to read the prayer (on my site). 


If you find yourself depressed or discouraged today – Count Your Blessings – Name Them One By One!

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night." Psalm 92:1-2



 To view other participants please visit Internet Cafe... click here

7 comments:

Gerry Adams said...

Thanks Michele, Very good advice :)

MIracles Can Happen Boys Ranch said...

Awesome post....so true if we just count our blessings and be thankful it will help us take our eyes off our situation at hand. Thanks for sharing! God Bless!

Maxine said...

There seems to be a lot here for us to feast on. I wish I had the time to read it all. But what I did read is quite good and helpful. I think the thankful journal is a very good idea. Thanks for sharing all of this and may the Lord bless the rest of your day.

Denise said...

Amen sis, love you.

Peggy said...

Blessings Michele... I made it and waited and the comments finally opened, not as long this time so I did not loose contact!

So I'm thankful and counting it all JOY! Counting this as a blessing!

Thanks for the wisdom in your tips so far!!! AMEN!!!

Excellent verse from 1 Peter! Counting all my blessings and thanking Him for blessing me with being able to visit you & your blog! Beelieving WE CAN in Christ!

Joy and peace,
Peggy

ozjane said...

Being thankful after praying has been the challenge to me lately to really believe that He has heard and He will act...so right there and then I can be thankful.

Edwin said...

admirable advice..quite divine....thanks for sharing