The post below is my version of the steps found on the site below. Mark MacDonald is an awesome guy with lots of great information to share not only in the worlds of marketing and technology but a great man to share ministry! Thanks Mark!
http://www.pinpointcreative.com/churchperspective/
Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful”.
This thanksgiving try the three steps below to live a life of gratitude.
1. Make a list of all that you are Thankful for. I remember a time in my life when I felt that the cards were stacked against me. I had just graduated from college, found out I was pregnant and had my boyfriend at the time leave as he no longer wanted anything to do with me or the baby. I was seeking God in trying to find something to bring me out of depression. I was listening to a pastor who was preaching on Thanksgiving and recommended everyone make a list of all that they are thankful for. I started the list and was not able to stop until I had 3 pages of blessings written. Counting your blessings one by one really does work!
2. Find new ways to show your thankfulness to others. Saying “thank you” still means so much to a person when you take the time to really genuinely thank them. But going beyond this also means a great deal. Taking the time to send a thank you card, make a phone call just to say thank you or going out of your way to let a manager know that you were treated well. Think about the last time you received a thank you from someone who went the extra mile. It will motivate you to do the same.
3. Make it a priority and live it out. Don’t let a whole year go by before you take the time to reflect and even write down your blessings. And try whenever possible to build thankfulness into your life. That means not only being thankful for all that God has blessed you with but really living out the call of “blessed to be a blessing”. Take the time to bless someone else and show them your gratitude. Most of the time this is the best gift you can give.
Being thankful is always a choice and something if we choose to practice will eventually become the place we rely on when life gets out of control.
