Whenever I’m exhausted or hangry my mind starts spiraling down, down, down.
Small struggles magnify into immense hurdles.
Little discouragements become portals to dark, depressing thoughts.
Minor issues become monstrous.
Maybe you know that downward cycle, too.
The moment I’m self-aware enough to recognize the exhaustion or low-blood sugar hunger, I do everything I can to shut down the downward spiral and tell myself not to think about those things… but what is good, true, beautiful, high-protein, and low-carb.
Scientists have discovered a powerful question we need to ask ourselves whenever we’re spiraling—whether from lack of sleep, lack of food, or too much stress.
What am I most thankful for in my life right now?
Why is this so important?
Gratitude boosts neurotransmitter dopamine much like an antidepressant does.
When you start making a list of what you’re most thankful for in your life, the emerging feelings of gratitude activates the region of the brain that produces dopamine.
Alex Korb in The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time writes:
“It’s not finding gratitude that matters most; it’s remembering to look in the first place.
Remembering to be grateful is a form of emotional intelligence. With higher emotional intelligence, it simply takes less effort to be grateful.”
I don’t know what area of your life you’re most discouraged in….
Your work..
Your marriage..
Your marital status..
Your kiddos..
Your health…
Your health insurance..
Your church…
Your school..
Your roommate(s)..
Your debt…
Your paystub..
Your career..
But my hope and prayer is that today, you will pause and give thanks.
In the comment section below, will you pause and list 3 areas of gratitude right now.
Let’s get our minds and hearts aligned with Christ—and all the reasons we have to be thankful.
Grateful read/study the Truth of God’s Holy Spoken WORD.
Grateful for friends who openly, share and walk with me along the journey of life, praying and stepping forward in the Faith and Hope of Christ Jesus!
Grateful to the Lord for the gift of His Love and Holy Spirit!
Yes! Totally agree 🙂
Grateful for God’s word
Grateful for prayer
Grateful for nature
Grateful for Iris
I am grateful for my family, good health, and most importantly my Savior the Lord Jesus Christ .
Thankful for God’s love & Word that He blesses me with throughout my life & continues to do !
Life: the good and difficult: making me into a rare jewel, treasure of the Lord ‘s
Loving family, friends who have been there through the ups and downs of life: always loving , supporting me thru help, prayers, listening, sharing our lives together!
I am very grateful for GOD in my life .
Greatful for all the members at my church that has filled a hole in my heart .
Thankful for the priest that came into my life within the last seventeen years .
My husband,my children,my granddaughterp
3 areas of gratitude right now:
1) I’m thankful to have read this post regarding how to calm myself by this riveting question: What am I most thankful for in my life right now?
2) I’m thankful the LORD JESUS is my tenderly loving, dearly caring Shepard, who always hears my “bleating” heart without any condemnation toward me>> one glimpse of HIS COMPASSIONATELY CARING GENTLE EYES OF HOPE AND JOY FOR ME IS MY INSTANT STRENGTH TO THRIVE WHEN OTHERS WOULD JUDGE ME A PERPETUALLY STUCK VICTIM>> WHEN I SEE JESUS’ RESCUING GAZE>> I WALK ON WATER (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE WEATHER OF CIRCUMSATNCES IS STORMY OR STILL…WALKING ON IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEMS THAT GOD INTENDS TO BLESS US AND NOT CURSE US BY IS MY 3) OF JOYFUL THANKS TO OUR SAVIOUR JESUS AND ABBA FATHER FOR SUPPLYING>> I’M THANKFUL GOD’S GRACE IS THE SUPPLY FOR EVERY MORTAL DEMAND. I’M THANKFUL JESUS CAUSES ME TO OVERCOME>> HIS STRENGTH FOR MY EVERY WEAKNESS CAUSE ME TO REJOICE IN HAVING ANY WEAKNESS>> TO SEE HOW HE WILL PAVE THE WAY TO OVER COME THEM BY HIS SPIRIT IN US… WE ARE HIS CONNECTED CHILDREN..CONNECTED BY HIS SPIRIT WITH EVERY MEMEBER OF HIS BODY CONNECTED TO OUR AWESOME HEAD…CHRIST HIMSELF, OUR MIND OF IMMORTAL WISDOM…HOW INFINITELY THANK~FUEL THAT JESUS NEVER LETS GO OF US…! NO NEED TO WORRY WITH HIS EYE UPON US CONTINUALLY. THANKFUL TO SAY A WHOLE HEARTED AMEN 🙂
My wonderful husband
My mom who is 99
My health even though I need to loose weight
I celebrate with you!
1. I am grateful for the church I get to pastor for the last 2 years.
2. Grateful for my aging yet wise grandfather
3. Grateful for the gift the make music.
My children and my husband
My creativity
Music
I am grateful for waking up to this much needed reminder and encouragement this morning.
I am grateful for God’s constant abiding presence and His love through my children and others around.
I am grateful for God’s constant provision and protection.
Me, too
The Peace of Jesus
The Joy of creation
You, Margaret ?
Awe, Thank You so much Tara 🙂
My Mom
My Dad is no longer with me, but his faith & prayers were so encouraging
The word of God
I am grateful for friends!
I am grateful for God’s provisions!
I am grateful for the hope I have in God which I cling to in hard times!
I am thankful God sends me inspiration through others. When I feel alone, He reminds me He is with me every second! Than you, Margaret for your encouragement through your words. Very thankful for my family ❤️
A deep, close relationship with my wife of 41 1/2 years.
I get to play CEO for a thriving, growing 35 year old business I started.
A large, beautiful house that’s paid for.
I’m grateful for close friends,
A roof over my head and the grace of God.
Grateful for another day to use for whatever and wherever God leads me
For your inspiration Margaret and insight
Grateful for my family and friends
A kind and loving husband.
Three incredible kids.
Freedom to pursue creative passions.
God’s love
My two awesome children
Friends
Thank you, Margaret, that I could wake up this morning to this excellent reminder to be thankful.
Thankful for my children and grandson.
Thankful for the beautiful home that I live in.
Thankful for my supportive and loving church family that are helping me through the lose of my husband of 27 years.
My family
My friends
My job
And for God grace and mercy for the above.
I’m grateful for my husband who is always loving and patient… even when he has to paint a third time to get the right color!
I’m grateful for how sweet and tender God is to me and the depth of his love.
I’m grateful for the purpose God has given me to help women with breast cancer as a nurse navigator. It gives meaning to my own suffering.
I am thankful for God’s relentless pursuit of my heart, His steadfast love, His faithful care, and His constant grace & mercy to me.
I am thankful for pastors who faithfully preach the truth of God’s Word each week, pointing us to Jesus.
I am thankful for the opportunity to love and be “Auntie” to my friends’ beautiful children.
My wife. Whom I waited a very long time to find.
The beautiful place I live.
My children.
A fourth – grace.
I’m grateful for my job that allows me to be close to my three kids who are 10 and under.
Grateful for a loving, encouraging and honest husband.
Grateful for two loving daughters and soon to be grandbaby.
Grateful for nature and being able to work in my gardens.
My husband
My time in bible study
My family and friends
My children
The opportunity to be blessed by the children and families of Guatemala City Dump
Thankful, above all, to God
A new air conditioner.
Quiet time with Jesus each morning.
The living and active Word of God.
A loving and faithfull husband.
My grandchildren
Still having my mother
Having enough to share
Ps. 118:24
Family, home, health, work.
Friends.
So thankful for the good health that I have. That even though I am not feeling so hot I can still move with ease and get things done.
Grateful for the husband sent me after many years of praying. Oh God is good!
Thankful that God is showing me what “Doing life together” looks like.
I am grateful for:
Memories made with my family.
Your encouraging word.
My family every last one of them.
My family
God’s peace
Good health
I am thankful for my grown children who are seeking God’s will and His words every day!
I am grateful for friends who have helped with food, lunch dates, and hugs after the passing of my husband.
I appreciate the abundance of everyday comforts – bed, dishwasher, washer/dryer, vacuum cleaner, toilets, running water, a/c and fans in the summer and heat in the winter.
I’m grateful for sensing the presence of God in and around me.
I’m grateful for an open heart.
I’m grateful for a curious mind.
my 3 fantastic boys
my amazing wife
Today 🙂 I needed this reminder more than ever!
I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness! And your message this morning is just what I needed as I have been surrounded by dark clouds of sadness all weekend. I’m also thankful for my precious family that He entrusted to me while here on earth and my Christian sisters who support me in prayer and encouragement.
Your reply sounds as if we’ve been in the same boat as I cried almose every day last week. Margaret’s simple suggestion to focus on what I’m grateful for immediately raised my spirits. I am grateful for so much, but I just forget to focus. Thanks Margaret and Eleanor.
I am grateful for:
3 healthy children
God’s Word
My church
Kids, Jonah and Anah
Husband
Friends and Family
Job that I love
Church
Home
….
Thank you for this information and have a great day in the Lord.
I am thankful I do not have to go out today in the pouring rain.
I am thankful for my puppies, so that I am not alone.
I am thankful for my hot coffee.
I am thankful for my roof does not leak.
I am thankful for the water being added to my pool naturally.
I am thankful for a good nights sleep.
I am so grateful for Jesus and all he has done for me.
Thankful for family
Thankful for myhealth
Thankful that God hears my prayers
I am grateful for a husband that works hard to take care of his family.
I am grateful for a job that allows me to help other people
I am grateful for a loving God, who provides me grace upon grace even when it is not deserved.
I am grateful for a wonderful friend who meets me to walk at 6 a.m.
I am thankful for my health, my accessibility to the mountains, and friends near or far that always support me!
Grateful to Abba Father for His unending love
Grateful for YOU for your Godly encouraging blogs
Grateful for my family and dear friends
Thanks so much Sandi 🙂 Hugs & more Hugs
I have a habit of listing things I’m grateful for every morning with my first cup of raw goat milk mocha cappuccino- which I’m very grateful for!
I’m very conscious that my childhood dreams have come true and I live in a place where my penchant for solitude, horses and all things Country is indulged. My house if full of books- one of my favorites that I re-read being Scouting The Divine- thank you so much for writing that! I have a husband that I adore, and beautiful children and a grandchild. My adult sons like to take me on coffee dates and what more could a mother ask?!!
❤️
MOST THANKFUL for Blair Robertson (medium psychic) for his blog on his website that told me I am not alone …I have been assigned guides…angels since I was born to help me thru my time on earth…so enlightening…so powerful…saved myself & 2nd grateful point is prayer is powerful enuf 2 help my PTSD suffering USMC friend…partner…etc! He’s much happier…attitude is a lot more positive & whras b4 I only saw him mayb 1x a month…bcause flshbks kept him depressed & he worked constantly…but now ge sees me almost 3x a week! & 3rd grateful point is health! Healthy children…grandchildren…myself…. (little HB) …but manageable & a ton of good friends! A lot 2 b thankful for ?
Hi Jenny: I see you are finding so much to be thankful for in your life. God’s gifts are wonderful!
I do want to gently say that there are 2 spiritual worlds, one good: of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit and His angels…and the other of evil: satan and evil spirits that masquerade as “good”. Psychic mediums are not of God but of the devil. Though appearing to be good and helpful, they work to lure people into the kingdom of darkness. We are to stay away from these forces as they are strong and deceptive.
God as revealed in the Bible and through His Son Jesus is pure goodness and all we need to save us, protect us and provide our needs while we live here on earth. Faith in the Cross of Christ dying for your sins and mine is where we need to place all our trust and confidence. He loves you with His whole heart and alone can forgive sins and give eternal life.
I hope this is helpful to you. Let Jesus love you and live in your heart, Jenny.
Well I’m laughing at the task of boxing up my cubicle this morning to work in a different location for the next week. Hopefully–I’ll be extremely grateful for heat next winter! 🙂
I am so, so grateful for my family and friends who support and love me and understand me better than I understand myself sometimes.
And oh Father, I’m grateful for Your Spirit who breathes life and direction and understanding into me.
I am so blessed to have children and grandchildren who know Jesus. It is my Grammy heart’s favorite thing.
I am so blessed to be married to my sweet man for so long. We still love each other and love being together.
I am blessed by the Lord with many dear and precious friends who will drop what they are doing and pray with or for me at the drop of a hat.
Most grateful for my Heavenly Father My Savior and his dying on the cross for my salvation. My family
A job to go to
A brain that still works
A bus system that takes me wherever I need to go
I am grateful for my husband who has been making steps to being in the present and in the moment with me and our son, Ben. i.e. we went to a musical this weekend and enjoyed a wonderful time being together.
Joining a new book club
New friends
Riding a beautiful horse in God’s country, Glacier National Park, on our family holiday.
Jesus, laughter, sunshine 🙂
I needed this today Margaret! I am reminding myself to be grateful for being a part of God’s family (this is immense). Also, I’m thankful for the blessing of children, grandchildren, and family. Lastly, but not least, I’m thankful for my life and opportunities I’ve had to spread some joy, some encouragement and some love!
I’m very grateful for my faithful God.
My wonderful employed husband.
My precious adult children.
I am grateful for a saving relationship with my Lord Jesus
& His Word & Prayer,
I am grateful for a Godly husband!
I am grateful for God’s provision for our children & grandchildren.
I am thankful for the great Bible teachers that God has placed in my life.
I am thankful for a church where I can serve and worship.
I am thankful that God keeps giving me a new day, that is always such a miracle.
Hi Margaret!
I’m so very thankful for my amazing husband of 32+ years who loves me just the way I am… Weaknesses and all. He faithfully helps and encourages me along my life’s journies.
I’m thankful for my dear mother who just celebrated her 79th year on this earth! She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and has been my best friend all of my life. We’ve battled a lot of life’s struggles separately and together and I’m so thankful that she’s on my team!
I’m thankful for my 2 God-loving adult sons and the men that they are growing into. This generation is such a hard one to belong to and these guys have morals and values that they stand strong for. They are both so faithful and forgiving. I pray that they continue to press in hard after the Father and desire all that He has to offer them in their lives.
And finally (i know, it’s 4 things I’m recording here but hey, I can’t stop!! Lol) I am so thankful for being alive, for God blessing me with the resources to fight my breast cancer battle and for ALL of my family, friends and others from around the world who encouraged me with notes, phone calls, surprise gifts and prayers over these past 2 years.
I cherish the Faithful Love of my Abba-Daddy yesterday, today and forevermore! <3
Exactly what I needed to read tonight, thank you!
God’s provision
Family
I am a child of the Most High 🙂
Grateful for breathe in my lungs, to live in a country where I am free and the blessings of family even when they seem a bit off key because I know God will write the final movement in our family symphony
1. That the Lord, reached out and rescued me, 20 years ago.
2. My awesome family…. that they love me the way they do, but mostly, that they all are servants of God, and have their names written in Heaven.
3. The fact that I get to travel and do ministry, ( Teaching, Preaching the Word of God, and playing in a band), with my beautiful wife, and one of my sons.
and let me add a 4th bonus one…. I thank God that I heard you Margaret, on a radio program, and was able to get some of your materials – Scouting The Divine, is phenomenal !
I pray God bless you in all you do !
I needed this today – to stop and remember to be thankful.
I am thankful that God never stopped pursuing me and I am His.
I am thankful for my wonderful family.
I am thankful for dear friends.
Thankful for my chaotic and slightly crazy kids who bring so much joy and remind me to slow down!
Thankful for my husband who is always in my corner! No matter how emotionally unpredictable I can be!
Thankful for my job. I get to teach little first graders and we are about to get back into learning!! So excited to see the joy and smiles on their faces everyday!
Grateful for this post and reminder.
Grateful for a day to work without distractions today!
Grateful to begin exercising today, after two weeks without.
When I am stuck in a pit of darkness or fear, I often write a gratitude list by going through the alphabet: A: my sister Ann, my daughter Ann, apples…B: my nephew Brian, birds, blue, …
I love that idea! So awesome 🙂
I am very thankful for a great job.
I am extremely grateful for my husband, who is patient with my particular “weirdness.”
I am so thankful for my daughter, Andrea. (She is very sweet and thoughtful to here mama, with two sons, brothers to herself.)
I am grateful for the following:
1. The most amazing, supportive group of girlfriends that I could ever hope for. They love me unconditionally and hold me accountable. I can’t imagine making it through the good or hard times without them!
2. A loving, supportive and trusting husband! He supports me and works hard to provide for our growing family.
3. A rewarding job that feels more like a family reunion every day than going to work!
Being healthy enough to work and ride a bike
My supportive family
God is my rock
1. My School
2. My health
3. My family
Grateful for salvation and mercy;
the beauty of nature;
my family.
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