One of my dearest friends gave me a large placard with the words “A GRATEFUL HEART IS A MAGNET FOR MIRACLES.” It’s been on my fridge for years now and still serves to encourage me to aspire to that consistent mindset. When I see it, I’m often reminded of the sweet friend who gave it to me, for her life is a beautiful example of this attitude. She’s not one of those falsely positive people who exude bubbliness with such force that it’s difficult to believe or emulate, she readily acknowledges when things are hard. But that’s not where she stays, regardless of circumstances.

Unfortunately, I’m not as much like my friend as I desire to be. Though gratitude is one of the qualities I most admire and one I attempt to practice daily, my natural tendency is definitely to complain. This must be human nature–it’s work for all of us. I’m sure it’s my own weakness of character or years of practice that made it a hard-to-break habit. My gut tells me, however, that it’s most likely an intense struggle for me because my highly sensitive personality causes me to internalize trials deeply.

My life hasn’t held more difficulties than most, yet the following passage from 66:8-12 describes my experience:

“Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.”

Within that Psalm that acknowledges great difficulty, there is both a call to praise and an acknowledgment of God’s ultimate faithfulness and provision. For that and many other reasons, I know I must continue to wage the war against my complaining nature, not only to cultivate the personality and character I desire to have and to be able to be the kind of example I want to be, but because the Psalms also tell me that I enter God’s gates with thanksgiving in my heart. A grateful heart is pleasing to Him “…in whom I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28).”

Every day, I try to journal about at least three things that I have to be thankful for. Research shows this practice is proven to impact our perception of happiness. It works for me! My outlook is often completely different after taking a few minutes to reflect on these items. When I practice it in prayer, it’s also something that helps me to land where I’m at, present in the moment I’m in instead of far behind or ahead, places I’m frequently drawn towards.

Thank you, God, for the smell of rain drifting in through the windows and the cloudy summer sky. Thank you for the hot mug of tea beside me as I sit in my favorite chair, for the ability and time to think and write. Thank you for quiet and rest, for a healthy daughter napping after a fun morning together, for the sweet dog lying at my feet. Thank you for the dear friends who have stood at my side, regardless of circumstances,  despite my complaints and emotions. Thank you, God for your grace, your light, love, power, and presence.

The same friend who gave me the miracle card recently sent me a link to “Gratitude,” a beautiful song by I AM THEY. They sing:

“I know it’s not much, but I’ve nothing else fit for a King

Except for a song singing, ‘Hallelujah, Hallelujah.’”