Bridget A. Thomas
Every day is a gift!
Halfway Through the Gratitude Challenge
If you have been following along for the past few weeks and decided to join in on the Gratitude Challenge which started on September 21, then you might be happy to know if that we are halfway there! Today is day 50 of 100 days of gratitude.
How have you been doing? If you have fallen behind, that’s ok. You can pick back up now. If you record 10 blessings each day, from now until December 29, you will have 500 gifts in your basket of goodness. And for those who have been consistent since we started, you already have 500 gifts written down.
On this gratitude walk we are disciplining our minds. It can be all too easy to let our focus look at the negative things in life. But Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus wants us to have peace, contentment, and joy. The only way to truly obtain those things is through a relationship with Him.
As Martin Luther said, “The heart overflows with gladness, and leaps and dances for the joy it has found in God. In this experience the Holy Spirit is active, and has taught us in the flash of a moment the deep secret of joy. You will have as much joy and laughter in life as you have faith in God.”
But even when we commit our lives to Him, we still might not find happiness if we allow our minds to be filled with negative and worldly things. So we have to make an effort to discipline our minds on the positive things. We have to choose gratitude each day. When we wake up we can choose to thank God for a new day instead of grumbling about our shrilling alarm clock. When we go to bed we can choose to thank God for the blessings that we found in our day instead of focusing on the things that went wrong.
God created this earth, the mountains, the oceans, the animals, the birds, the fish, and even the bugs. But when He made human beings there was a big difference in our creation – our mind. We were given an amazing brain that we can use and steer each day. We don’t have to be victims of our thoughts. We have an opportunity to choose positive thoughts. And that is what gratitude is all about. Making a choice each day. I know it’s not always easy, but it is possible. I hope that whether you have been following along or not, that you will get back in the game now and continue for the next 50 days. I am praying for you along this journey.
… And don’t forget we have the Luke Bible study starting on December 1st!
© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas
Bridget A. Thomas 
Gratitude is indeed making a choice each day and often it can be multiple times through the day because it helps to recalibrate our focus back to God. I love how you referred to the gratitude list – gifts. I never really thought of them like that. Having an attitude of gratitude is like a discipline that we have to grow in, as the natural tendency is to be drawn towards complaining or feeling dissatisfied. I am enjoying this gratitude challenge and although I am not consistent every day, just doing this together has made me not give up and this is the longest I have committed to writing down a gratitude list albeit skipping certain days.
Thank you Bridget and I look forward to the Luke Bible Study.
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You are absolutely right- we do have to choose gratitude multiple times a day. Too often we allow our circumstances to derail us. In those moments, instead of letting something unexpected take away our gratitude, we can choose to look for the good. I am so glad you are enjoying the gratitude challenge. I agree that doing it together helps keep us motivated to keep going. And as you said, it is definitely easier to complain. But once we make this a habit, we will see contentment and peace in our hearts. I am so glad to have you along in this journey, my friend!
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I have missed a few days, but I am enjoying writing down what I am thankful for. I love John 10:10, reminding us of the abundant life the Lord has for us. Thanks Bridget! 🤗
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I am so glad to hear that the gratitude challenge has been a pleasure for you, Dawn! And don’t worry about missing a couple of days. Life keeps us busy! I agree about John 10:10. Sometimes we allow life’s circumstances to pull our focus in different directions. But God’s truths and promises help realign our perspective.
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I’ve been telling myself daily (lately) to have an attitude of gratitude …and it really does make a difference!!
We started the “gratitude list” as a family at the beginning of this month. Each of us records what we’re thankful for each day on our own list and then we discuss together. It’s been a blessing and something we look forward to. Thanks so much for sharing this idea Bridget!❤️
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Oh wow, I really love that you are doing it together as a family. That is so wonderful. That is a special way to bring your family closer and to teach your kids the importance of gratitude. Thank you for sharing that! ♥️
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I don’t know how I missed this but I sure wish I would have seen it sooner because I needed the reminder! This week has been really hard (my husband and I are trying to work through some issues) and I have to admit I haven’t really felt like focusing on the positive. What a great reminder to focus on Him and not the worldly things, which is exactly what I needed reminding of this week. I’ll be keeping this in mind this weekend for sure! And remember to write down the things I’m grateful for instead of all the things that have gone wrong. Thank you!!
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I am so sorry that you have been going through some difficult things. I can definitely understand not wanting to focus on the positive. That is how I’ve been for the past few months, which is why I have been trying to force myself to keep my gaze on gratitude. It can be difficult to do, especially when we are feeling down. But if we are persistent and if we continue to seek God, He will help us. I will be praying for you and all that you are going through, my friend! ♥️🤗
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Thank you for your prayers! I’ll be praying for you as well!
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Thank you 😊
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