Gratitude Clears the Way for God's Peace
Thanksgiving is not about pretending everything is perfect.
I recently had to remind myself of the importance of being grateful during high stress situations. It was a real moment of contention for me. To be honest, I didn't handle it gracefully at all, and I have regretted my reaction to the situation ever since.
In the end, the issue resolved and everything worked out. Though it wasn't quite how I had expected it to, it still worked out just fine. This reminded me that not everything will be perfect, but it's how we recognize that God is still present in all situations that makes the difference.
Gratitude in the Kingdom is:
- A posture
- A mindset
- A discipline
- A spiritual weapon
- A deliberate choice
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalms 136:1 NIV
I have written about gratitude in both of my books, Authentically Anchored and Braver with Belief. It is so integral to our well-being.
To put it into perspective, what does gratitude do to the soul?
For women of faith:
- It quiets anxiety and refocuses our hearts
- It reminds us that God is sovereign even with things seem uncertain
For writers:
- It keeps creativity flowing by removing internal pressure and comparison
- It fills our hearts with love
For entrepreneurs:
- It shifts you from scarcity to abundance
- It opens your eyes to see all you have been given
This week is Thanksgiving, and usually this time of year, we always talk about the things we are thankful or grateful for.
I want to share with you something new that I have been working on for most of the year that has filled my heart with so much gratitude.
The Boldly Woven Magazine is here. Issue 01-Winter 2025: Creative and Called.
Working together with other women of faith to present an issue we can all be proud of has filled my heart with so much joy. I wasn't sure how this magazine would be received, and this past weekend I had the honor of seeing it first hand.
Watching other women pick it up and flip through it before smiling and confidently saying they needed it in their lives before purchasing it made my heart so happy.
The magazine is a ministry. It is designed to help you where you are. To give you new perspectives and stories of hope. To have valuable resources for you to work through your thoughts and plan out your seasons. To draw closer to God as you remain still in His presence.
It is my hope and prayer that you'll come to love it as much as I do.
For this ministry, and all who are a part of it, I am forever grateful.
Reflection:
What are some things you can thank God for that you may have overlooked?
Where has He been faithful this year?
What are you grateful for that has nothing to do with circumstances?
I'm so grateful for you, friend.
With Grace, Shonda Ramsey