Since 2020, there have been a great many memes lamenting the year whilst showing gratitude for the upcoming new year. That is, until the new year also gives reason for grief. That’s been the story of 2020, 2021, and now 2022. And like before, people grumble about the past and express hopeful anticipation for what comes next. There’s no denying, tragedies of varying magnitude have affected America and the world in recent years. Yet, there’s also no denying that tragedies occur every day, somewhere in the world. Whether that is a war or terrorist attack that happens somewhere the media doesn’t cover, or a child in some nameless place dies from a natural-born illness.
Some people take this sadness as a reason to believe God doesn’t exist, others understand that suffering is proof that God is real, and more than just being real, recognize that the suffering of others and ourselves, gives us all the more reason to be grateful.
See, Jesus didn’t promise an easy life, but He did promise that with Him, we could overcome the adversities that come our way.
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Reshaping Our Gratitude
Maybe the memes are right. Maybe life is getting worse, or maybe our perspectives are what’s suffering the most.
Technology has never been so advanced as it is today, nor have people lived as long. Whereas people used to work to live, with many families gardening or taking care of livestock so that they would have food to eat, today we can take last-minute trips to the grocery store. And most people aren’t even farmers. Rather than tending to the land, we wait to be tended to, as we scroll for hours on one of many screens. Yet, somehow, gratitude is still lost on us.
And we seem to know the cure for suffering for everything and everyone, but hardly ever for ourselves, hardly ever for our own perspectives. If only we would recognize that despite the hardships that happen, those that are out of our control, our perspectives are very well within our reach. And what better way to fix perspective than by finding gratitude?
Gratitude says that the glass is half full instead of half empty. Gratitude reminds us that in the midst of bad, there is always some good, that even when all we know is bad, we have known good, and we can know good again.
Ponder on how you can reshape your gratitude, and consider why you should be grateful for today, not just the new year.
“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Reasons to Show Gratitude Today
Sometimes we lack perspective because we lack gratitude, and sometimes we lack gratitude because we aren’t sure what to appreciate. Our reasons can be as general or as specific as we choose. The key is to choose something every day, especially when we find ourselves in those valley seasons.
If you need help figuring out why you should be grateful for today, not just this upcoming new year, take a gander at this list. See what applies, then get on your knees, and praise the Lord for what He has done.
You’re alive.
You got out of bed this morning.
You brushed your teeth, but even if you forgot, you own a toothbrush and toothpaste.
You either went to work today, performed chores, or relaxed.
You have a body that works, even partially.
You’re able to use the bathroom, even if you need some extra assistance.
You have access to a bathroom.
You have access to supermarkets and convenience stores, not to mention restaurants and bars.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
You live around people with whom you can converse.
You have someone who cares about you.
You have someone to care about.
You have a family.
You have friends.
You have acquaintances.
You’re married, dating, or crushing on someone.
You spend time with people, and people spend time with you.
You lived to see a new day.
You have eyes with which to see.
You have a nose, ears, arms, legs, and more.
You have teeth to brush, or remove, or fix.
Your body functions, even if not perfectly.
You have the ability to think, to remember, and to forget.
You have hobbies that help you pass the time.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
You have food and drink to consume at your leisure.
You have access to clean food and water.
You have somewhere to belong.
You belong to someone.
You are loved by God.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
You are forgiven by God.
You are an heir to the kingdom.
You receive the Lord’s renewed mercies every morning.
You have a reason to be thankful.
You are learning how to be more thankful.
You saw something on this list that spoke to you.
You thought of something not on this list that relates to you.
You have more reasons to be thankful than what can be listed.
You have more reasons to be thankful than what can be conceived.
Conclusion
If gratitude were natural, we wouldn’t spend so much time instilling the trait in our children, or ourselves. God wouldn’t have to remind us of its importance both in living a healthy, happy life, or in having a satisfying relationship with him. Despite the difficulty we face in attaining that ideal attitude of gratitude, once we do, we benefit tenfold. Our relationships prosper, our faith grows, and our perspective remains positive.
Good things are definitely coming next year, but good things can come today as well. Will you be on the lookout?
As the old saying goes, don’t miss the forest for the trees.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/natalie_board
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.