A prayer of gratitude for life's blessings by Christine Brown, read by Leah Martin.

Never feel like you wake up each morning to more problems, like they're waiting for you

to open your eyes so they can grab all your attention at the start of your day.

Thoughts can consume us and steal our energy, but in the process of handling the many issues

that come our way, we may not realize the effect they have on our attitudes.

Focusing on life's issues can lead to frustration, discouragement, or even hopelessness.

One way to ensure that problems don't overshadow the blessings in our lives is to give

thanks.

Dealing with one problem after another leaves me with a scarce gratitude list, but I can

always find things to fill my gratitude list, even when my life seems filled with problems.

First Thessalonians 5.18 encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is

the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We're familiar with that old saying, count your blessings, it's something many of us learned

at a young age, yet how often do we stop and proclaim the things we're thankful for?

Especially in today's world, we're complaining and arguing have become a way of life.

Paul gave the church at Thessalonica guidance to help them live abundant and fruitful lives

through any circumstance they encountered.

He encouraged them in 1 Thessalonians 5.18 to give thanks in all circumstances.

Yes, there would be trials and challenges, but Paul had learned the power of gratitude.

He knew this valuable truth.

In the worst times of life, we can still discover the peace and hope of Christ by counting

our blessings.

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