by Pennee Struckman

Created on: September 05, 2009

Thankfulness. Warm, friendly feelings of gratitude. These days, it is easy to become discouraged. Prices are high. Unemployment is high. Watch the news, and people are killing and robbing. Trying to live on a budget is hard; trying to live well is harder.

Thankfulness is an attitude, an internal smile that guides us through this life. We are who we are because that is the way we were made. Realizing that God is good all the time, and, even in the midst of grief or disappointment, He is not far away. God is ever mindful of our life. He understands our frailties and weakness. He knew us before we were born.

While we can be stressed or frustrated at times, it is important to realize that God is interested in our character more than our comfort. It is not God's design that any of us perish.

For reasons we may not understand, bad things can happen. At these times, as we draw close to God, our families and our friends, we acknowledge that God is good all the time. And that no suffering will come to us that is not common to man.

Knowing this, how can we not be thankful? No one expects us to be grateful for disease or death, but thankful that we have a loving God who will see us through. What is key to being thankful is to understand what is really important, and count those blessing in our life. This is the first step in thankfulness.

The first step to thankfulness is realizing what is important in life, and how many important elements are in your life. Are your children safe and alive? Are there people in your life who love you? Are you healthy, and have both your arms and legs?

The second step to thankfulness is to take stock of your life. All of us have bitter disappointments we deal with. Some of us are grieving. Some are recovering from cancer, or another serious illness. But what is good in your life?

Spend some time meditating on what is truly important. Health, a sound mind, the sound of laughter. What is important to you?

Are you able to go to college? Can you read a good book, or enjoy a movie? Do you hold your baby at night, and listen to the sound of innocent infant breathing?

Thankfulness is realizing that life is good. Even in it's bitterest moments, there is hope. Hope can come in the embrace of a friend, or the smile of a stranger. Give thanks to God for what you have.

Learn more about this author, Pennee Struckman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.