21. Gratitude: A Tool for Change

Do you have something to complain about?

I know I do:

For me, it’s either too hot or too cold;

It’s either too crowded, or too empty;

There’s either too much or not enough;

The neighbor’s dog barks too much;

I’m sleep deprived because I don’t sleep all thru the night;

I have a pain …

I’m fearful about …

In a letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks in ALL circumstances, not some.

So, in this moment, what circumstances are you “but”-ing? What circumstance has you saying, “Well, it’s impossible to have thanks for THIS miserable situation.”

How could Paul give us an impossible task?

Paul knew something that humankind is just beginning to understand. He knew that Gratitude is actually a tool that creates change.

Gratitude is a tool that creates change.

You may be wondering how gratitude creates change!

It doesn’t make the dog stop barking, or the cold winter miraculously & unseasonably turn to spring—I’m sure that snow-loving people would tell me to love it or leave it, and of course, they are right!

So, if the circumstances aren’t necessarily changed, where does this change occur?

Within ourselves.

Furthermore, we may not have gratitude for a neighbor’s incessantly barking dog, but what CAN we give thanks for in such a circumstance? Take a moment to come up with an answer …

Want to know the process you may count on to use Gratitude as a tool?

If you have a complaint, that’s the cue to start looking for something for which to be grateful.

Once you find something for which to be grateful and embrace it, the change will start to occur.

In a grateful state of mind, all kinds of things will start to happen:

• The God-Answer will infill you, replacing your limited ego-answer.

• From the God-Answer will come a faith that all is well, giving you peace of mind.

• Miracles could happen, for when YOU change there is an energetic ripple effect that touches others and elevates situations.

• You will be open to receive Divine Ideas on how to handle these circumstances with a win-win solution for all concerned

• Unexpected opportunities or new knowledge will come to you.

Gratitude puts you in a positive frame of mind so that you receive Divine Inspiration for problem-solving

In that positive frame of mind, you create and attract what you want rather than what you don’t want

Did you know that if your heart is filled with gratitude, you cannot complain?

A dear friend, Diana, had several serious challenges. Of her three adult children, one was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and one was diagnosed with extreme bipolar dysfunction. As they lived at home, she was constantly attending to them, which affected her work as well as her relationship with her sweetheart, who grew to have little tolerance for this situation. Losing that relationship was heartbreaking. Her finances were a constant worry. She herself was depressed until she was inspired to change her attitude to gratitude.

I’ve never before witnessed the extent to which a person was willing to radically change by living from their heart with thanksgiving. She is the poster-child for using gratitude to change her very being! She often wrote and sang songs of gratitude, and affirmed how blessed she was, naming a plethora of blessings one by one. She lovingly cared not just for her two incapacitated children, but attended to others who needed compassionate attention. Her depression dissipated to nothing. She radiated true joy with her smiles and singing wherever she went. Did she ever complain? No.

She did pray, “What can I do about this? Guide me, God.”

After trying what appeared to be an endless and discouraging array of medical procedures and alternative treatments, she was divinely guided to try one that finally popped her daughter out of years of swinging between outrageous mania and deep depressions.

And then, Diana’s radiance attracted a kind, compassionate, handsome, affluent man into her life. He accepts and loves her children as they are, and Diana’s special care of them (although her daughter has since been healed). Diana and this dear man are now happily married. She changed her life by choosing to live from an attitude of gratitude. (Diana gave me permission to include her story.)

LIVING THE TEACHING

1) That problem that you were complaining about, think of how it could actually be a blessing. What can you do about it? If nothing, with a growing faith, surrender it to God. How can you be the blessing? What can you learn from it? List your answers in your journal.

2) Give thanks for this circumstance, as it is here to bless you.

3) If you are just not finding the blessing yet, then ask God for the answer. Pray, “How is this circumstance here to bless me?” Be with the question until you get the God-Answer. Remember, the God-Answer will always give you peace of mind and will create a win-win solution.

4) When you find yourself complaining, instead declare, “Divine Ideas are coming forth now to bless me in this circumstance. Thank you, God, for this opportunity to live in faith.”

Want to be happy? Be grateful!

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