Are you going in circles? Around and around, you go — attempting to make progress but continuously finding yourself in the same predicament time and time again? Maybe, you’re not even making any moves at all — your life is at a standstill. You’re trying to open doors yourself and when you finally realize you can’t do it alone, you ask God… but He makes you wait.

On a job. On a family. On love. On growth.  

I noticed around this time of year, I’m a tad bit more irritable. I absolutely love the holidays because of Jesus (duh!) and family. I love the songs and events and movies. However, it is especially around this time where the weight of darker days and biting cold can further remind you of the things you lack.  

But it doesn’t have to.

Now can be the end of your discontent. Now can be the end of your frustration.

This post exists to encourage you to develop and maintain a heart of gratitude regardless of what you’re going through…regardless on what you’re waiting on.  

This is your reminder that you aren’t forgotten. Even in your drought, heavens will unleash even the slightest trinkle of rain to remind you, your rainbow is coming.

SHIFT YOUR MINDSET

I believe now more than ever God’s people need to maintain a heart of gratitude. He’s doing so much for us behind the scenes that we have no idea about. Despite all that, He has done more than enough. He is enough.

This mindset — this heart of gratitude takes time to nurture. It may feel fake at first, but the Bible says the more you seek Him, the more you will find Him!

If you struggle with feeling like God isn’t enough for you, start off your journey by thanking Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. We will miss what’s ours if we focus on our needs and neglect praising and getting to know God.

SPEAK OUT GRATITUDE

When a praise is on your lips —  even in the midst of trying times —  a breakthrough is on its way. That’s all the more reason to speak life over your desperate situation, isn’t it? I know it is for me! Ya girl needs her blessing.

That same gratitude needs to be spread around your loved ones every single day. More and more people are mourning; we’re losing loved ones, jobs, ourselves. And while we can’t change these tragedies, what we can influence is what we say and how we act with those in the battle. Not just those suffering publicly, but every. single. body because of the simple fact of you don’t know who is suffering in private.

Remind your loved ones, those who you pass on your way to work or that lonely stranger that they are seen, they are loved and they are absolutely cherished by God!

ENEMIES AND GRATITUDE

Our hearts can grow cold in the wait God to come through for us. Our hearts can grow cold in disappointment and deterred dreams. Our hearts can grow cold in the wake of betrayal and hurts.

That’s why we need proper protection. I’m not referring to distancing ourselves, the go-to tactic when our hearts have been mishandled. I’m all for boundaries; it’s completely necessary to exercise discernment. You need to know who deserves access to you and on which level.

I listened to a sermon the other day that changed my perspective completely about enemies. It’s called “The Necessity of an Enemy” by Matthew Stevenson.

You know, we’re always told to pray for our enemies but I don’t think many of us know the deep extent. Pray for that person with the same fervor you pray for yourself. Don’t just pray for change, pray for covering for that person.

Praying for your enemies fights off feelings of offense and brings about a heart for God!

CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD 

My mom always taught my siblings and I we could talk to God anywhere.

And so, that’s what I do. I speak to Him while I’m walking, on the plane, as I’m doing work etc. It’s difficult, but try to be cognizant of God’s presence as you go about your day. He doesn’t want to just watch; He wants to be an active participant.

God knows what’s going on in our lives, yes. However, He wants you to tell Him about your day. He wants you to express when you’re angry at Him and why. He wants to hear your voice, your spirit, your heart cry out because He desires relationship.

Are you building one with Him?

God is awaiting you reaction in your waiting period. Are you ignoring him? Grueling over the past? These are natural responses that need to be fought with our spiritual weapons: prayer and time reading His Word.

There will be times you don’t know what to say. Speak as you would a friend. And if you still find yourself speechless (because trust me, it happens), just say “thank You.”

AND SAY YES, TOO

Have you ever said a prayer and fell asleep? Maybe you said a prayer and felt no connection to God. Or, maybe you said a prayer and you had no idea what you said because of all the distractions. It leaves you feeling, “God, did I even really talk to you?”

I was reading my bible and there was a devotional segment focused on prayer. The writer wrote about how distracted and frustrated she would feel because she thought there was something wrong with her.

There wasn’t. And there’s nothing wrong with you either.

God showed her how to gently remove the distractions that floated into her mind. He told her to choose a word that would redirect her thoughts to Him in prayer.

She chose “yes.” Yes, because it’s a word symbolizing submission. It’s a word of willingness. A word that demonstrate you are all in.

Won’t you say “yes?”

BE INTENTIONAL: BIBLE VERSES FOR GRATITUDE

A lot of the times we lose sight of gratitude because we are focused on the wrong things. We lose sight of gratitude because we are trusting ourselves with our own lives. We lose sight of gratitude because we experience amnesia of some sort, completely forgetting where God has brought us from.

But when we are intentional with our praise, things change.

The enemy will make you feel like God is so over you. That you are this evil, heartless person that is destined for nothingness.

A great practice is to write of all the things God has done for you in a journal. An even better practice is shooting satan down with Scripture.

May these verses be on your lips when you feel like you’re sinking in discontentment and frustration again.

May these verses be on your lips when you feel like you’re sinking in discontentment and frustration again.May these verses be on your lips when you feel like you’re sinking in discontentment and frustration again. Click To Tweet

Because yes, those feelings will come. You just have to be equipped for battle.

2 Corinthians 4:15  

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 103:2

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

I pray you never forget! And please, do the same for me! Let me know: how do you maintain a heart of gratitude?

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