1 Surefire Way to Boost Your Happiness
Discover the Transformative Power of Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you “in Christ” Jesus.
What does this verse mean?
I imagine you have read this verse before, and it never sits well with you to be thankful for everything. Me either. If this is you, hear me out.
Sometimes we can miss details that make all the difference to our understanding. Did you notice the little word in, in all circumstances instead of for all circumstances?
You are not expected to be grateful for bad situations. But, thank goodness, God will bring good from it, for you, at the right time. *You will be grateful when that good comes, so you can save a lot of unnecessary hurt by being thankful when in the in.
Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose - for them.
Choose gratitude with confidence.
It’s okay if you are struggling with this because you can still be obedient in gratitude. I thought this verse didn’t apply to me because I didn’t feel love for God. I usually felt like I was downright furious with Him. Feelings and truth are two different things, though.
FACT: You do love God because He loved you first.
I understand if you are not feeling confident to look beyond the present moment to choose thankfulness while in the middle of a hard time. It took me a long time to “get there.”
However, you can find other things that are going well and offer praise for them despite the difficulties around you. I was always mad at my husband for one thing or another, but one day I decided to find something to be grateful about. It was pretty easy once I got started.
It wasn’t long after that my attitudes and behaviors began to change! It dawned on me like a glorious sunrise: God was working for my good the whole time I was born again!
Just so you know, Father God always fully loves and accepts you where you are.
Change will happen for you too!
It could be sudden or, like me, little by little. As you practice being grateful to Father, you consistently start feeling calm and quietly happy.
The why is very simple to me.
Your self in Christ always wants what the Father wants. That’s who you are at your core! When you make choices in obedience to your true self, you feel aligned with God.
You are walking by the Spirit when you agree with God. Your behaviors and experiences are transforming in real time! Not only are you free, you feel free. To grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. To have your mind renewed by the Holy Spirit. To know the true you. Free to be happy.
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit (in Christ), let us also walk by the Spirit.
I hope this has been helpful to you in some way, whether large or small. A start is a start, and you must start to have more happiness in your life.
There is a new Facebook group where we plan to share more in-depth content related to the happiness of Christian Women and Growing in Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
Hopeless to Happy Christian Women Growing Together in Grace
Was this letter too short - too long - left unanswered questions? Let me know!
Questions or comments are always appreciated.
Hello Cheryl, Love the power of gratitude, thank you for writing, you have abundance within it, ;)
Perfect read Cheryl, just the right amount of reading packed with many powerful points. I’m enjoying your writings, you really have a way of expressing your words that makes me feel like you’re right here talking to me. I am so encouraged by what you are sharing and really seems to be just what I need to hear. For real. ✨