HAPPY MONDAY!
A thought from my friend Dick Foth inspires today’s word-of-the-week…
SPACE
Gratitude occupies a lot of space.
Gratitude crowds out most other emotions. When you focus on the things for which you’re thankful, it’s difficult to find space for things like anger, hate, competitiveness, or greed.
Want to try an experiment? Next time you’re feeling resentful or bitter, don’t try to “shut off” the negative emotions with willpower. Instead, turn your attention to a gratitude list. I’ll bet you’ll find that thankfulness expands until there’s not much space for the negative emotions.
This isn’t some magical, new age trick. When we express gratitude we’re aligning with God’s will. We’re doing life the way it was designed.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Our hearts were shaped for thankfulness. I think that’s why they conform so naturally to it.
So many opportunities right now to be angry, to be fearful. So many opportunities to hate, to divide. And maybe it’s just me, but willpower alone isn’t enough to keep those enemy emotions at bay.
I’m grateful for so much. I’m especially grateful for the space occupied by gratitude.