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How to be grateful and strong when things go wrong?

There are times when we may feel like we cannot be grateful about anything in our lives. Losing a job or feeling burned out can contribute to one’s negative attitude. Experiencing financial losses or not being able to make ends meet can hurt deeply. Enduring physical or mental health challenges can drive us to feel hopeless. Missing and losing a loved one, seeing one’s child suffer, and relationship difficulties could be additional reasons to feel apathetic.

The list can go on and it can be hard to see the goodness when we are going through difficult times. But that is when we need gratitude the most. That’s when we must go looking for it.

The research shows that it’s possible to change our perspective despite life’s abyss. We can change our mindset toward feeling more at peace with ourselves and become more grateful.

It’s not easy – but you can start with small deeds. One day at a time. Starting with small deeds and circumstances can help you see the brighter side of life. As you continue to decrease your thinking errors and connect with the people that matter, you’ll be able to endure life’s difficulties. As you do, you’ll become more resilient. You’ll be able to appreciate whatever comes your way and be grateful.

Brother David Steindl-Rast says it all comes down to a very simple formula: Stop. Look. Go. “That’s all,” he said on the TED talk. He added, “But how often do we stop? We rush through life. We don’t stop. We miss the opportunity because we don’t stop. We have to stop, we have to get quiet, and we have to build stop signs into our lives.”

Not all of us see the world with a silver lining, but a gratitude list will help you become more of a glass-half-full person. It works!

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Gratitude works! I’ve considered keeping a gratitude journal as a perfect tool and writing down at least three things that I am grateful for the day before bedtime.

I am living in the radiant confidence that the Lord will stand by me no matter what!