The pandemic has brought us a lot of stress, a lot of problems, and a lot of challenges. We could hear many complaints, and also many people blaming other people.
One thing that we need sorely need nowadays is the attitude of being grateful. We need to rediscover the joy of being thankful.
Paul who was imprisoned many times and suffered a lot of hardships developed a thankful attitude. He wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
How can we develop a grateful attitude?
First, start by thanking God for the little things.
Oftentimes we wait for the “big” things to happen in our lives that we have forgotten to thank God on the little details that happened to us.
If you are reading up to this line, then stop for a while. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Then, thank God for all the little things that you missed since the start of this day.
When you begin to thank God of the small details that happened to you, it would become easier to spot the workings of God in your life. Your eyes will now be opened how God has mysteriously worked in and through your life.
Second, start your day by thanking God that you are still alive, and end the day by thanking God again.
How many times have we taken for granted to start our day with a prayer? Maybe some of us are just dragging their feet from the bed, and just start complaining that this day would just be another grind.
When you begin your day with a prayer and thanking God for the sleep, and another opportunity to live life, your whole perspective will eventually change. If you are grateful, you will begin to see that everything is a miracle.
When you have developed a grateful heart, the next problem that will come your way will just become a challenge on how you may overcome it with the help from God. If you do not have a thankful attitude, you will just become bitter and hate every problem that will come your way.
So, thank God for today. Inspire others to be grateful. Thank somebody also who have helped you along the way.
I would like to thank all of you for reading and sharing my reflections since I started “Binhi sang Pagtuo” last 2009. It has been 12 years, and 6 volumes. Thank God for this wonderful opportunity. May God continue to inspire me to write more!
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University