The Power of Gratitude






Choosing Perspective in Every Season

Life has a way of pulling our focus in different directions. Some days it’s easy to see the blessings all around us; other days, negativity feels louder and heavier than anything else. This is where gratitude comes in, not as denial of reality, but as a deliberate choice of perspective.

Gratitude is not pretending life is perfect. It’s not disassociating from hard times or ignoring struggles. Instead, it’s the practice of choosing to see the good alongside the challenges. It’s looking for the light even when shadows are present.

Remembering What God Has Done

One of the most powerful ways to stay rooted in gratitude is to look back and remember what God has already done in your life. Think about the prayers that were once on your heart that have now been answered. Think about the moments you didn’t think you’d make it through, yet here you are. Gratitude grows when we pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, because it reminds us He’ll be faithful in the future.

Sometimes this means pulling out old journals, scrolling back through photos, or reflecting on milestones you’ve hit. Pictures, memories, and even old struggles can remind you of just how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown. Gratitude isn’t only about appreciating the present, it’s also about honoring the progress that God has carried you through.

Negativity Bias: Why Gratitude Takes Intention

Our brains are naturally wired with what psychologists call negativity bias, the tendency to notice, dwell on, and remember negative experiences more than positive ones. That’s why gratitude doesn’t just “happen.” It requires intention. Choosing to write down three good things at the end of the day, or pausing to thank God for the little blessings, helps retrain our perspective so the positive doesn’t get overshadowed by the negative.

Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks

Every single day, life gives us situations that can either become stepping stones or stumbling blocks. The difference is perspective.

  • A stumbling block says: “This is unfair. Nothing goes right for me.”

  • A stepping stone says: “This is hard, but I can learn, grow, and move forward from it.”

The circumstances may not change immediately, but the way you view them can shape how you walk through them.

Gratitude + Realism = Balance

It’s important to understand that gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or sugar-coating pain. Instead, it’s choosing where to focus. You can acknowledge, “Yes, this situation is hard, and it hurts,” while also choosing to focus on what is still good: health, family, opportunities, or simply the gift of another day to try again.


Affirmations & Reminders for Shifting Perspective

When your perspective starts slipping toward negativity, try reminding yourself:

  • “I’ve survived hard things before. God will carry me through again.”

  • “This moment does not define the fullness of my life.”

  • “There are blessings around me right now, even if I have to look closely to see them.”

  • “Today I choose to see stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.”

  • “God has been faithful in the past, why would He stop now?”

  • “I’ve grown more than I realized my past reminds me of how far I’ve come.”


These affirmations don’t erase the challenges, but they keep your heart anchored in gratitude and hope.
Life will always have both blessings and battles. Gratitude is the bridge that keeps us steady in between. It reminds us that even on the hardest days, there is still good to be found, and even on the best days, we have reason to be humble and thankful.

Gratitude doesn’t change every circumstance but it absolutely changes how we walk through them. And sometimes, that shift in perspective makes all the difference between stumbling and stepping forward.

 

Sensai 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Confidence, According to an 8-Year-Old

Image
Adults spend years, sometimes decades, trying to figure out confidence. We buy books, attend workshops, follow influencers, and stand in front of mirrors repeating affirmations. But sometimes, the truest, simplest wisdom comes from the heart of a child. Meet my niece,  Colin . She’s 8 years old. She’s unapologetically herself. She loves chips. She’s flexible, friendly, and firmly believes she’s  “the best Colin in the world.” And honestly? She might be on to something. What Is Confidence? “When you know you’re going to kill it.” – Colin, age 8 Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s not perfection. It’s a deep, quiet knowing that  you can show up and be great   not because you have every answer, but because you  know who you are  and  believe in what you bring . Colin doesn’t need external validation to believe in herself. She doesn’t wait for applause before deciding she’s got this. She just  knows . And that’s confidence. How Do You Get Confidence? “Yo...
Read more

What My 11-Year-Old Nephew Reminded Me About Effort, Resilience, and Heart

Image
This summer, I watched my nephew Cole discover something many adults still struggle to learn: the power of trying your best, even when it’s hard. At just 11 years old, Cole has been joining workouts with the high school football team, lifting, running, sweating alongside teenagers much older than him. It’s been more than just exercise; it’s been a crucible where he’s forged a new perspective on what he’s capable of. He’s realizing that strength isn’t just physical, it’s mental. And as his confidence grows, so does his belief in himself. One day, I talked to Cole and asked how he was feeling about the changes coming to his own football team this season. Without hesitation, he said,  “I feel ready. I know I can do it.”  There was no arrogance in his voice, just calm confidence. I asked him where that belief came from, and without skipping a beat, he said,  “My dad.” That response landed heavy on my heart. His dad is my brother and I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow...
Read more

Planted, Not Buried: Growing in the Silent Seasons

Image
There are seasons in life where everything feels still—quiet, even painfully so. It can feel like nothing is happening, like dreams are fading, and prayers are being ignored. But don’t confuse silence with absence. Don’t mistake stillness for stagnation. You are not buried… you are planted. In the soil, a seed looks lifeless. It is hidden from view, covered by darkness, and disconnected from the light it once knew. But beneath that surface, a transformation is happening. Slowly. Quietly. With purpose. The Silent Test Ever notice how the teacher is quiet during the test? That silence isn’t punishment, it’s an invitation to apply what you’ve already learned. In our spiritual and emotional lives, there are “test seasons” where we don’t feel divine direction, where clarity doesn’t come easily, and where reassurance feels distant. But this silence doesn’t mean you’re alone. It’s part of your growth. It’s where you learn to reflect, not react… and then determine whether a response is even ne...
Read more