Before we ask God for anything, we must first thank Him for everything!

Can we just acknowledge how blessed we are?

I know it might feel like life isn’t fair. Things don’t make sense. There is so much hurt, pain, loss, sadness –  why aren’t things easier?! On and on and on and on … this life is tough! 

But I want to challenge you to acknowledge that two things can be true at the same time … Your life is hard AND ALSO God is good!

You’re lacking  AND ALSO you are blessed!

You need help AND ALSO you are saved! 

You cannot experience joy without gratitude. 

You won’t find fulfillment without gratitude. 

You will never be at peace without gratitude. 

God’s mercy, graciousness and goodness are bigger than ALL of the horrible things this world throws at us. And for those of us that walk in faith, we technically know this – and I’m here to validate that in really hard seasons, it’s especially difficult to see those blessings.  But these are the times that we owe it to ourselves and to our savior to choose to acknowledge and purposefully be thankful!

I’m not suggesting that you can’t question your situation, your hurt, your “lack” and ask God for help; In fact, he WANTS you to come to him and ask. He WANTS to hear from you about your needs – I’m just reminding you to be thankful first. Because I’m willing to bet that even at your worst, you’re still blessed. #youreonyourphone 

For me personally, the hardest things I have had to deal with in my life became a lot more manageable when my  mindset shifted from what I “don’t have” to what I “do have” – that switch was the turning point for me for my healing! (and finding joy! And peace! And a better relationship with God! And .. so many things friends. So many things.) Gratitude is one of the most amazing gifts you can give to yourself and to God! 

I was so angry with God when I lost my mom & marriage, it completely consumed me. I couldn’t focus on anything but the things that were gone. The lack! The “don’t have”!

But then one day, amongst the grief fog, it occurred to me how lucky I was to have such an incredible best friend! I “do have” her!  She checked in constantly and went out of her way to smother me with attention (in the best ways possible). So even though I kept telling myself I was alone – her presence in my life made me acknowledge that wasn’t true. And that reality flooded me with gratefulness! In the midst of so much pain & loss, I felt blessed and I thanked God for the gift of her friendship. 

I had a career & leadership team that supported me and gave me time away from work to focus on my life. I became so grateful & thanked God for guiding me to this company.

I had the financial means to be able to support myself in spite of the horrible divorce stuff my husband put me through. I thanked God for the choices made to put me in that place. 

(This one might shock people), but I didn’t have children! And I was suddenly so grateful for the years of failed IVF attempts  (because I would have otherwise had to deal with a custody battle with a mentally unstable father & without my mom for emotional support). God knew I could only endure so much .. and while I grieved the idea I’d never be a mom, I now understood why that dream never materialized. And I’m totally ok with it! And I thanked God for knowing my needs better than me and for unanswered prayers. 

Then I started looking closer at all of the other people & areas of my life that I’d overlooked, or taken for granted, and I began to realize just how incredibly blessed I am. I shifted my mindset – I was a person dealing with grief and loss AND ALSO thankful beyond measure for what God has done for me and all he’s given me! 

My dogs. My auntie. My little house. My dad. My foundational faith. My love of writing and reading. My most defiant personality trait “I can totally do that” (even though I have no experience, knowledge, ability, or track record). 

I don’t think God expects us to take our pain and suffer through it blindly or willingly. But I do think he wants us to take into account the ENTIRETY of our life – focusing not on just what’s been taken, but also what has been given. 

My prayer for you today is that you truly take inventory of your life and all that is in it. That you not only see, but recognize, the gifts and blessings that surround you. And in spite of all the “i dont have” areas of your life, you celebrate and thank God for all the “I do have” he’s blessed you with! 

When you go to God, don’t be afraid to ask him for what you need or want, but don’t discount or forget to be grateful for what he has already given you. 

XO

Tay