What Are You Thankful For?

I'm human, and just like everyone else, we all have bad days where life seems impossible to get through. Not too long ago, I had a very low point. I felt like I was sinking and couldn't see anything good in my life. My health was declining drastically. I was spending more time stuck in bed curled up from pain than I was outside and enjoying life the way I would have liked to. Every day felt like an eternity and never-ending. I didn't want to hear Bible verses or someone telling me that it would all be better soon or that they felt sorry for me. Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted except to feel better. I was so bitter and frustrated at life that I had lost every bit of joy I had in me.

My husband had to work every day, so most days, I was home alone in my own thoughts. Well, one of those bad days came strong, and I didn't want anyone to come over; I didn't want to see anyone or talk to anyone, but my husband sent his mom over to come to spend time with me and try to comfort me. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement, haha. She came over to the house, and we talked for a while. She immediately realized how bad I was and that I was struggling to see ANYTHING good in my life because all I could see was the bad and the pain that I was enduring.

She sat on the bed next to me and said, "April, can you tell me three things you are thankful for?" I looked at her and honestly wanted to ignore the question, but she said, "I'll go first. Here are three things I'm thankful for today: My husband, My Bible, and My Family; now it's your turn." I remember thinking, "Psh, well, those are obvious ones," but I didn't say that; instead, I said, "Ok, I'm thankful for My family, My home, and My church." After I said it, I was hoping she would drop it and move on, but nope, she then told me, "April, I'm gonna ask you every day to tell me three things you are thankful for until you can see all the good that God has done for you outweighs all the bad that's going on in your life."

I didn't think she was serious, but sure enough, EVERY SINGLE day, she would text me and ask what I was thankful for, and I couldn't say the same thing twice. I had to think of 3 new things to be grateful for! Initially, I was so annoyed because I honestly didn't want to think of things I was thankful for. I wanted to just soak in my misery, but she wasn't gonna allow me to do that. Day after day, I had to think of more things that God has done for me or that God had given to me that I was thankful for and LET ME TELL YOU…. WOW!!!!!!! When you start to go down the list of things God has done for you and given to you, it's never-ending, and you start to realize how much God loves you and is always there for you, no matter if you feel like he's not. It didn't take long for the blinders to start coming off, and I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I started to see all the good God has done in my life, and FAR outweighed the bad. I don't know what you are facing today. You may be going through the hardest trial in your entire life, and all you can see is a dark wall in front of you. You're bitter at the Lord and have lost all your joy like I did. Can I challenge you today? What are three things you are thankful for? I'll go first. I'm thankful for my husband, beautiful miracle babies, and parents! Ok, now it's your turn! I hope you'll allow the Lord to remove your blinders and remind you that he's given and done SO much for you! He loves you so much and is the only one who can help you through this trial with joy in your heart!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."