Words of
Encouragement & Hope
submitted by Esther Vallet
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Over and over these past months,
I have read admonishments in my
personal devotions to thank God in
all circumstances and to look for the blessings hidden in adversity and challenging times. Could I possibly find any hidden blessings in these past months of multiple challenges and disappointments? Could I thank God in the midst of stresses and isolation caused by this pandemic?
As I started to purposefully thank God in the midst of it all, He began to enlarge my perspective to see His goodness in my life. When I began to look for the blessings, I found they weren’t actually “hidden.” They were everyday blessings, uniquely mine, and in plain sight! As they started filling my mind, I wrote them out in my journal ending up with much more than I ever expected. And it truly changed my outlook on these past nine months.
God had been at work in my life far more than I realized. Having a thankful heart and an “attitude of gratitude” had opened my eyes to see God’s goodness, His kindness, His tender mercies, His answers to my prayers, causing me to be aware that He is far greater and far more loving than I can even imagine. I had to thank God for His love and faithfulness throughout this year and the decades of my life!
Recently, I heard a new contemporary Christian song by Josh Baldwin that puts this thought to music:
“I see the evidence of Your Goodness, all over my life, all over my life.
I see Your Promises in fulfillment, all over my life, all over my life.
Why should I fear? The evidence is here.”
During this Season of Thanksgiving, we are being reminded to consciously thank God each day for at least one thing. Who knows – maybe that one thing will lead to another, and another, and another….
Dear Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see the evidence of Your Goodness all over my life. Cultivate within me a mindset of thankfulness. I praise You, O Lord, for You are Good and You are Loving.
Blessings,
Esther Vallet
