With the ups and downs that life throws at you, it can be hard to keep an attitude of gratitude no matter your situation. It can be almost effortless to be grateful in the good times. Yet in the bad times, you need the secrets to being grateful at those times.
When your marriage seems to be filled with love and laughter. When your kids seem to be healthy, happy, and thriving. And you are making sure you are getting the quiet time you need and doing the simple things that are important to you. These are the good times and you cannot help but be grateful.
Yet the truth is these days are not our everyday reality and we will have bad days. Times when it seems like you and your husband are arguing constantly. Or your kids may not be growing or developing as they should. Or they are dealing with problems at school. During these times it may seem like being grateful is almost impossible. Yet the truth is no matter your situation, you do have something to be grateful for. So knowing the three secrets to being grateful no matter your situation is so important.
#1 Secret To Being Grateful Is To Accept That Bad Days & Storms In Life Will Happen
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows…
John 16:33b (NLT)
Now, I know that this is the part of life that we often wish we could avoid or at least re-write. Yet, having a realistic view of life, especially marriage and motherhood, is key. Accepting that bad days and storms in life will happen can go a long way in maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
No, you may not be grateful for the trial or storm you are going through. Yet, you can be grateful for the strength, courage, and lessons learned that come as you get through them. Accepting the bad days and storms will happen help you to not stay focused on them. While also allowing you to look past them to find things you can be grateful for even in the midst of them.
#2 Secret To Being Grateful Is Realizing EVERYTHING Is Not All Bad
Now, I know in the midst of struggles and storms in life it can easily feel like everything is wrong and you have nothing to be grateful for. Yet, that is not true. Despite all that may be going on and maybe going wrong, you still have somethings to be grateful for. The fact that you were blessed with another day of lifeis something to be grateful for. Your marriage may not be in the best place, but the fact you are both are willing to work at it is a blessing.
I remember when my husband, Eric, had just lost his grandmother and we were dealing with some other family drama. These things and just life were spilling over into our marriage and got us to a place where I felt everything was wrong. We were struggling and then Eric suggested we go to marriage counseling.
I was not grateful for the fact that one of the most important people in our lives had died. I was not grateful that we had to deal with family drama. And I was definitely not happy that we were struggling in our marriage.
Yet, despite all this, I had things to be grateful for. I was grateful that over the years his grandmother had poured so much love, strength, and faith into us. I was grateful that we have a family to fight with. While most importantly, I was grateful for a husband who was strong and humble enough to know when to ask for help.
We all go through things and seasons in life when life can be overwhelming. However, even in those times, it is important to realize that everything is not all bad. You still have things you can be grateful for.
#3 Secret To Being Grateful Is Knowing You Are Not Alone
Now, this is the best secret of all. Right before the scripture about having trials and storms comes this.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
John 16:33a (NLT)
Knowing that you are not alone and God is with you at all times is definitely something worth being grateful for. Having your faith to rely on and trust in God despite your situation gives you such peace. A peace that helps you to maintain an attitude of gratitude.
The truth is no matter your situation, you have things to be grateful. With these three secrets, we can all maintain an attitude of gratitude no matter our situations. Often simply being grateful for the little things in life even when the big things seem overwhelming.
I’d love to know how you try to maintain an attitude of gratitude
no matter your situation in the comments!
It’s so easy to focus on ourselves and our own problems. When I am feeling down or ungrateful, I never have to look far before I see someone who is facing a much more difficult situation. So thankful that the Lord is our Friend, and He will never let us down!
What a great reminder that there are always things to be grateful for
This was so encouraging. It’s true we are all in a different season and need to just love each other!
Thank you so much for sharing this. We just went through an emergency surgery with one of our kids and this goes right along with what God has been teaching me through this crazy time!
I also believe that it’s important to keep a positive attitude and be grateful on bad days. There’s so much we have to be thankful for and many times we take what we have for granted.
What a thoughtful post full of wonderful advice. Sometimes things can seem overwhelming so keeping these in perspective can make it easier.
So good! My favorite part is about trusting God ! I believe that with all my heart
Totally agree! Especially the “You’re Not Alone”. I believe that’s what the enemy wants us to think. It isolates us. But when I know others have trailed this this and came out stronger I know I can too.
Thank you for this, Ayanna! It brought some much needed peace to my evening
Knowing that bad days are a part of life, always helps me get through things. It really puts everything into perspective, just like knowing we are not alone. So true!
I needed to hear this today. Thanks for sharing. I find it so hard to be grateful in the midst of arguing with my husband. It’s important for me to remember not to believe lied in those moments.
Really loving the tone of this post. I will definitely revisit it in the future.
So well said. There are times that it is difficult to be grateful but there is def always something to be grateful for.
Such a great reminder. I agree that there are certain hurdles that are harder to get over, but a daily practice of gratitude makes it easier.
Such great advice. It’s so important to remember to be grateful, maybe most important during the tough times.
I completely agree with all of this! I’ve found that when I start to feel overwhelmed or less-than-thankful, I have to take a pause during my prayer time. Instead of continuing to ask God FOR things, I spend a day going through my entire prayer board and finding a way to thank God for each thing on that list. It completely transforms my perspective!
Those gritty moments tap into our personal strengths, which help us reframe tough situations and allow our gratitude to surface.
thanks for the positive vibes x
What a great reminder that our time on earth is a gift!
Beautifully written! A grateful attitude can be the true turning point for your day. Our attitudes dictate how our day will go!
I need to remind myself to look on the bright side. I’m such a pessimist and always think of the worst case scenario!
Such a good post! It’s true – once we realize that we are not alone – that the Lord is right here with us through it all – we can be grateful for even the craziest circumstances!
Beautiful — and so true! Thanks for the reminder, Ayanna! 🙂
So simple, yet so helpful. Thank you for sharing your heart and these three ways to grow in thankfulness. It was a blessing to me today!
This is such a wonderful piece! I have been struggling with, but working on recognizing gratitude in my life
Thank you for spreding such an important message, it can be challenging but is so important to be grateful
To be honest, I needed this today, thank you for sharing it
“Knowing we are not alone” ….So true, and so thankful for that truth!
This is fantastic! Whenever I’m having a rough time, I write a list of things to be grateful for. Sometimes it can be a struggle but it ultimately helps me a lot 🙂
I feel grateful that I have at least God to love me when no one else does. Thanks for the post. Gratitude is our anchor in the storm.
Wise words..needed them today. In a bit of a slump!
It’s really hard to maintain gratitude when times get rough! These are great tips 🙂 I try to remind myself in every bad situation that it’s making me stronger.
this is a great post! nowadays a lot of people forget how to be (and stay) grateful in our everyday lives
It is definitely tough not always looking at the bad side of things. I try hard to not be such a pessimist, but it’s a daily struggle.
So beautifully written! It is so true that the good times are easy. The worst pain I have ever felt was transformative, but I still wish it had not occurred! I think my view will soften as more time has passed😊