Circumstances and situations can easily give us a downcast spirit. Bills we can’t pay, illness, relationship hurts, life’s frustrations, and sudden repair needs can drain the energy and joy out of us. It is enough to make us want to sit in our favorite chair and pull a blanket over our heads until it all goes away. Where do we find the cure for our downcast spirit, especially when we see no end to our troubles?
Psalm 9:1-2 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Without downplaying the struggles that we face, the cure for a downcast spirit is to give thanks for the things that we do have. We can all find something that we are grateful for, like air to breathe, enough food to keep going, shelter, some level of health, friends, help from others, etc. Thanksgiving changes our attitudes, even when the circumstances don’t change. Continuing to dwell on our bad circumstances just takes us deeper down the path of self-pity and regret.
Giving thanks begins with the acknowledgement that we have been given something good. It may take some effort, but we can find these blessings. I know that each of us has been blessed by God in many ways. He is always good and is good to everyone. We may miss seeing His blessings if we don’t look for them. Of course, having a trusting relationship with God, makes us more aware of these blessings. So if you are having trouble finding God’s work in your life, why not simply ask God to reveal Himself to you?
Reluctant Retiree 