“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Grateful people invite blessings into their lives. You can probably think of stories where you gave something to someone and he or she said thank you in a way that was perhaps unexpected. And what did you want to do? You wanted to give this person more! Take all my money! There’s something about grateful people that makes you want to help them, support them, and be loyal to them.

On the other hand, when we think that we have very little, that we’re entitled to more, and thereby are angry or sad, we believe our anger and sadness will cause people to notice what we’re going through and help us. But in truth, the way that human beings are wired, very often those emotions can actually cause people to move further away from us.

Thank God and others for their gifts of love and you will invite unexpected blessings into your life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for all that you have provided, including the loving people you have encouraged to encourage me. My depth of gratitude to you is deeper than words. Amen.

REFLECTION: Have you ever felt more lonely and sad the more you try to explain your sense of loss or lack to others? What happens when you handle that loss more positively?