The more stress that hits, and the harder life is thrown at me, I tend to lose sight of the real purpose I'm alive. Espescially as the end of the semester is headed our way, my priorities are being thrown aside to papers, exams, and lack of sleep. However, every time I do take some time for myself and for God, I'm able to breathe and realize that life is a manageable and beautiful thing.
There are many things we don't think about when it comes to thankfulness. If you're ever needing a break from school or work, or both, I encourage you to close your eyes and thank God for the following things:
Be thankful for the people around you. Your friends and family are there to help you in times of trial, and they'll hopefully be around for much more. The gift of love and the ability to spend time with them is something to treasure. You should even be thankful for people you despise; God has made them and has put you in the same living space for a reason. Everyone you meet will teach you some sort of lesson, even if you don't realize it.
Be thankful for nature. Have you ever just looked outside your window to see flowers blooming? Or mountains that extend to the horizon? The grass that grows and the trees that stand are vital to our environment, but they're also a pleasing sight to the eye. If you need some time of peace and re-centering, go for a walk and breathe in some fresh air.
Be thankful for your lifestyle. Whether you live in happiness or utter despair, take a moment to ground yourself with the things around you. Find something you can see, something you can hear, something you can smell, and something you can hold on to. Chances are, you're doing a lot better than a good portion of this world. You are living a certain way for a reason; if you don't like it, maybe its time to make some adjustments to your personality and habits. Go for a run, make some new friends, tell that one person you love them. Be thankful for the way you live and the fact that you can always improve yourself and your surroundings.
Be thankful for your health. Usually, we take our health for granted until we're sick and we'd do anything to feel better. If you're breathing and have energy, take a moment to appreciate it. Maybe you need some more sleep and a little boost with your nutrition, but that's all fixable. Remember to take care of yourself and give thanks to God you're alive.
Be thankful for your purpose. Think of your wildest dreams and goals in life and how you want to pursue them. Maybe you're in college, or you're working, and you're killing yourself to be who you want to be. Maybe you haven't figured everything out yet, or you feel you don't have a purpose. But you do. God has given you that purpose and drive for a reason, and its all for His glory. You were put on this Earth to better this world and make a difference. So praise the Lord, be happy you're here for a reason, and remember that He loves you.
Be thankful for the Cross. If you've fallen captive to the power of sin or you're struggling with the fact that you're a sinner be default, remember the Cross. Jesus died for our sins; He paid the price and took away our guilt. Whether it's gossip, unbelief, sexual immorality, or anything frowned upon by God, it has been lifted from us. Be thankful that Jesus Christ is for you, and not against you.
This time of year can make getting out of bed the hardest decision to make. But thankfulness for things you normally don't think of can certainly help get you through it all. If you are not able to see God's path before you, be appreciative of the little things and the greater things will become known to you.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15
