grateful

My mind used to be a world of negativity and ungratefulness. I complained when something I could not control did not go the way I wanted it to go. I laid in my bed defeated when nothing seemed to be going right. I was pissed off for the rest of the day if I made a bad grade on a test or if something or someone let me down. Of course, I still struggle with these moments at times. We're all human, right?  

Your perspective starts to change when you focus on things you are grateful for. There are plenty of times I have heard this statement. There are also plenty of grumbling replies I have heard following this statement, but the most popular? "There is nothing to be grateful for. Absolutely nothing is going right and this world sucks anyway." 

What do you gain when you focus on so much negativity? Can you name one positive thing? I didn't think so. Shift your mind from negativity and grumbling to positivity and gratefulness. 

God has blessed you with life. It's time to start each day with a grateful attitude. Positive thoughts and thankfulness lead to so many good and loving things that let God's light radiate over you. That toxic negativity and complaining shifts your focus to Satan, someone that will fill your beautiful head with defeat and bitterness. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Find God's light in gratefulness. 

This week, gratefulness has been placed in my heart. I am so grateful for my family and my friends. I am grateful for the University of South Alabama and for the internship I have been placed in. I am very thankful for Hobby Lobby and this super soft blanket I'm cuddling in as I type out my thoughts to share with you all. I'm thankful for church and for pizza rolls. I'm thankful for the blue sky today and for sunscreen and for coffee. I'm beyond grateful to belong to a God that unconditionally loves me. 

You see, it is not joy that causes us to be grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful. There is always something to be grateful for, my friend. So take a deep breath. Exhale all of your worries. Hand them over to God. Now, take another deep breath and focus on the things you are grateful for. Focus on those things you may have taken for granted and thank God for the many blessings that have been placed in your life.