Developing a Gratitude Attitude
By Dena J. Dyer
Guest Writer
CBN.com -- "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus" (Eph. 5:19-20, NIV).
Have you ever tried gratitude journaling? By that, I mean writing down four or five things a day that you're grateful for. The rewards of such a discipline are numerous -- time with God, time with self, and (hopefully) a new outlook on life.
"There is always something in life to be grateful for," says Georgia Shaffer, author of A Gift of Mourning Glories and a cancer, divorce, and job loss survivor. "Even the victims of the Holocaust -- like Corrie Ten Boom -- found things to be thankful for in concentration camps. If you have to, just look at God's creation."
Start with your relationship to Christ. Has he helped you through tough times? Made you more patient?
Sherry Corley is a committed journaler. "The best thing about journaling is that God uses it to help me find peace in the midst of turmoil," she says.
Her advice to others who want to get started, but feel hopeless or helpless about life? "Sit down and pray that God will speak to you. Then begin to jot down everything that comes to your head. Just let the pen flow, holding nothing back. If you don't see God's answer immediately, wait a couple of days and go back to your journal. It's amazing how God can speak through journaling."
Another great technique is scripture journaling. In Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, Carole Mayhall writes: "Look up three things in Scripture tomorrow morning for which to thank the Lord. Then add three things from the world around you. Each morning add one more from both the Word and blessings God has given you. Then ask God to help you come back to those things and thank Him throughout the day. My hope would be that after a month, you will have learned some new thought patterns that will take over for the rest of your life."
How to Create your own Gratitude Journal:
1. Find something to write in, whether it's a three-ring notebook or a fancy bound book. "Find something that fits you and makes you want to stick with it," says Shaffer.
2. Find a space and a place.
3. Make time to write -- preferably the same time each day.
4. Write whatever is on your mind. "Don't edit yourself," says Shaffer.
5. Be content with your own speed and methods. Says author Luci Shaw: "Your journal is a process, as well as a product."
Lord, develop in me a thankful heart, that I will daily "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." (Ps. 103:2).Copyright 2003, by Dena J. Dyer. Used by permission.
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