I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal.
At first, I was barely able to think of one or two things to write down each day.
After a few months, however, I noticed that I was easily jotting down four or five things, sometimes more.
I figured I must be going through a “good phase.” Life must have gotten easier, giving me more to be grateful for.
But when I thought about it, I realized I’d gotten the cause and effect completely wrong. My life wasn’t any easier; if anything, my circumstances were more challenging.
The daily practice of gratitude makes life easier.
This trend continued as I challenged myself to write down 10, 15, and now 20+ things per day for which I am grateful. The more I focus on gratitude, the better I feel about my life, despite difficulties.
As I brainstorm things for which I’m grateful, the three core concepts of 1 Corinthians 13:13 help me focus on blessings in three different “time zones”:
Faith
When I focus on how God has led me in the past, I remember so many specific incidents for which I continue to be grateful.
Hope
When I exchange my expectations for how I think things should turn out for hope in God’s plans for my future, I am grateful that He is God and I am not.
Love
When I focus on the present moment, I find so many ways God is blessing me in the here and now.
Try This: Every day for the next 30 days, jot down one thing for which you’re grateful in each of the three gratitude time zones: past, future, and present.
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