I recently met with a friend who was really frustrated with their place of work. They shared how discouraged they were in the expectations put on them and how the overall culture is overworked and those that work the longest are the most celebrated. Seeing the negative impact on himself and several that had decided not to work there, he decided he wasn’t sure he wanted to work there.
This Sunday, at his church they preached on writing a list of things they are grateful for. He was led by the Lord to write things about his work. It was not hard for him to make the list. He read the list outloud and it softened his heart toward his work. He went from ready to consider quitting to grateful for his opportunity.
I think all of us can relate with his frustration. It might not be a job, but a person or a group of people. So I want you to do something. I want you to write down one person or thing in your life that really frustrates you. Really stop reading and write it down.
I know I can struggle here. I remember asking God to work at a certain place and then about 6 month later I am complaining to God about working there. I ask God for a child and when they are screaming I question why I prayed that. I am grateful for a vehicle and the moment I have an issue, I complain. What if I just stayed grateful and chose to look at the blessing and not the challenges. What I focus is on is up to me and I want to live a grateful life. Not to mention we like spending time with grateful people.
What do you complain about today that is actually a blessing from God? Where do you need to change your focus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Next I want you to write down 7 things about that person or thing that you are thankful for about them or it. Don’t say, “I have nothing.” There is something. Take the time to let it be deeply personal. Now read it outloud. Read it again before you see that person or go to that job and notice how different your attitude is.
Why? It is hard to keep a grateful spirit down. Grateful people are noticed for their genuine smile. They are noticed in how they treat people different. They are noticed for how the see more than normal people do. If you were a boss interviewing two equally qualified people, one was grateful and had a smile, the other just didn’t. Who would you hire? The grateful one… Why we like being around grateful people is because they are fun and light up a room. They emanate hope.
So today choose to be grateful. Choose to emanate hope!
Helping people live a better story
Brandon Sereg
