How to be grateful at the end of the year

by Toyosi Adegunle 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: -Psalms 103:2 NKJV

Whenever I read this scripture, I have a theory that if there wasn't the tendency to forget, this scripture would probably be a part of the Bible. If David didn't think Humans could easily forget things - good or bad, in this case, especially good things, he would not mention in. 

"Bless the Lord oh my soul" is a line in the book of Psalms that was used countless times and it just goes to tell us how important Gratitude is to our lives and relationship with God. Growing up, I heard this song from all corners and heard people say you can't buy anything for God, you can't give him money, you can't give him food also, but the only thing he wants from you is gratitude. I had a couple of issues with some parts of the song though, but again, gratitude is key. 

Don't you love it when you do things for people and they are grateful? Even if you say "Oh don't mention" (Please let them mention at least once) or "Awww, it's nothing" (Nahh, it is something please) but you blessed someone's life with something and they are grateful for it. Gratitude makes you feel fulfilled and engineered to want to do more, as humans. Let's flip the switch a bit, imagine doing something significant for someone and they don't acknowledge it and never say "Thank you" for once. What does that attitude tell you? How would it make you feel? Would it not overrule your judgement to do more for them? Except you're like God, who doesn't exactly need to hear you say "Thank you" before he chooses to bless you again.

It's a tricky place to be in if all you ever do is ask and ask and never be reflective of the goodness that you have experienced in time past, in fact, every time. "Human wants are insatiable" is a line amongst the few things my little self could learn from Economics in secondary school and it paints a better picture for me when I wonder why people forget so easily, are never reflective or even grateful. We want a lot of things and that's okay but what is not okay is forgetting to be grateful for the things you've gotten.

It's 65 days to 2022 and you've probably started getting worked up and wondering what you have "achieved" in 2021 and then join the lots of people that think they just lived through 2021 and nothing good or significant happened to them. Are you sure God didn't do anything for you from January till date? Again, God is such a merciful and loving Father who doesn't need to be told before he blesses you or anyone, he blesses us because that's who he is, that's his nature and disposition towards his children naturally. Imagine how happy your Father would be if you chose to be grateful and chose to acknowledge everything you know he has done for you, that's how it works. 

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."- I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

Regardless of the unpleasant personal or general experiences that you've had this year, be grateful, no, choose to be grateful, choose to reflect on all that God has done for you and your family and be grateful, choose to ask for more in gratitude, choose to live and move around with a heart that subconsciously says 'Thank You' to your father in Heaven, choose to nurture a heart and mouth that blesses people who have blessed you a different times of your life. 

Let's bring this to life, how about you start a 30 Day Gratitude challenge? Get a journal and pen (of course 😂) or your Digital Notepad and write something you're grateful for in 2021 for each day. 

Interesting, right? Let's do this before the year runs out. It would you:

● Become more reflective

● Become more grateful

● Become more aware of the happenings around you. 

Gratitude is a lifestyle we are encouraged to have as Believers. It pays to remind yourself of all the good things that have happened to you. It helps to improve your hope and faith. If you haven't thought of these good things, now is the time. 

We love you and guess what? We are grateful for YOU! 

Note from Editor in Chief

Dear friends and family,

I've put together an event in Toronto and I want to encourage you to please pray along with me. That there will be a mighty move of God in this Canada. 

Thank you.