Choose to be grateful

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Many of us know that being positive is of much gain than being negative. That being polite is more honorable than being rude, or that loving is always better than hating people. Today I want to share with you a few reasons why it's so much better to choose gratitude than grumbling and complaining. I used the word "choose" because I believe this is an attitude and we can always choose our attitudes. It needs some practice until it becomes a lifestyle, but it's so rewarding when it does!

So, here are some reasons I choose gratitude daily, even when life throws lemons at me, and the benefits I reap:

1. Gratitude helps me focus on God, not on myself. It takes my eyes off of my problems and helps me to remember and reflect on His goodness and faithfulness and the many blessings He has already poured on me.
2. It reminds me that every good and perfect gift comes from God. He is my Provider and He loves to give good gifts to His children!
3. When I practice gratitude, there's no more room for grumbling and complaining, because these two opposite attitudes cannot coexist. So my heart is filled with praise as a result!
4. When I am grateful and I declare this in the atmosphere, the enemy, the spirits of darkness flee, because they cannot stand in such an atmosphere of praise and honor given to God.
5. Last, but not least, practicing gratitude opens the door for more blessings.

Would you start today to practice gratitude instead of complaining? You can start simply by writing down at the end of each day 5 reasons you are grateful for, that happened that same day. Try to write 5 different reasons each day. It might seem difficult at the beginning. Choose even the things that seem small to you, like a quiet walk, a phone call from a friend, an encouraging, inspirational word you read on Internet, the fresh air, etc. My life changed completely when I started doing this and I know yours will too!