Yesterday, I almost missed the chance to share my thoughts, but by God’s grace, I made it. Reflecting on that, I’m reminded of the many reasons to be thankful, even for the seemingly small victories.
Today, I want to pause and thank God for my life and the lives of my family and friends. As I look back, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m no longer where I used to be; growth has happened in every area of my life. God’s goodness has been evident, so much so that words sometimes fail me.
The Psalmist perfectly capture the posture of my heart today:
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” – Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
Still, I find myself asking, Have I always expressed my gratitude as I should? If there were moments where I grumbled or acted ungrateful, Father, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.
2024 has truly been a great year.
Through every season of my life, God’s faithfulness has never wavered. His goodness has been constant, like the lyrics of a song that resonate deeply with me:
“All my life You have been faithful,
All my life You have been so, so good.
With every breath that I am able,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
Gratitude Struggle
But why is it that we sometimes struggle to live out gratitude consistently?
Why do we find it difficult to extend unconditional gratitude to others and even to ourselves?
I’ve come to identify some common barriers—what I call gratitude inhibitors:
- Fear – “What if there isn’t enough?”
- Scarcity mindset – “There is not enough.”
- The pursuit of more – “It’s not enough yet.”
- Desperation – “I’d better secure my share.”
- Envy and comparison – “I wish I had what they have.”
- Feelings of inadequacy – “I am not enough.”
- Entitlement – “I deserve this, and more.”
- Denial – “I wish none of this were true.”
- Unrealistic expectations – “It should have been different than this.”
These inhibitors rob us of the ability to fully appreciate what we already have. They cloud our perspective and limit our capacity for gratitude.
Today, I challenge you (and myself) to reflect on these barriers. Which of them do you relate to?
What steps can we take to overcome them and cultivate a life marked by sincere and consistent gratitude?
May we always find reasons to be thankful and never lose sight of God’s goodness in our lives.
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