Warm sunny days, bright yellow daffodils, sweet red strawberries–you’d think this season’s cheerful delights might cultivate joy. But springtime or not, my initial thoughts about chaotic circumstances more likely reflect winter’s chill. Maybe I default to the dark side most when my emotions are in turmoil. Anger, despair, bitterness, and frustration are easy human responses to life’s challenges.

But there’s one surefire cure that never fails to pull me out of depressing thoughts, disturbing emotions, or negative thinking. And, I’m convinced you’ll cultivate joy, too, when you choose to be thankful.

Gratitude Triggers Freedom

Sometimes we have voices in our minds that hold us hostage. That’s true for one of THE CHOICE Series main characters. Even when he’s alone, Oxford scholar Ollie hears his brother’s relentless taunts and has to decide whether to let that produce anger and insecurity or Truth that replaces the lies.

Like Ollie, we determine which voices to dismiss and which ones to believe. It’s our choice. When we incorporate Scripture into our thoughts, the Holy Spirit can use it to encourages us to express our gratitude to the Lord. Here’s just a few verses with that reminder.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders (Psalm 9:1).

That victory allows us to  triumph over challenging circumstances in ways that produce delight.

Gratitude Cultivates Joy

When God answers prayers the way you want, it’s easy to be grateful. But you might wonder how someone can be appreciative when problems persist or even bring suffering?”

My friend, Karen Wingate answers that question in the Introduction to her new book Grateful Heart: 60 Reasons to Give Thanks in All Things.

Karen offers cues based on her own experience, and she knows the struggles of having been born legally blind and trying to navigate the world without the benefit of good vision. (Her book With Fresh Eyes: 60 Insights into the Miraculous Ordinary by a Woman Born Blind  is definitely worth reading, too!)

In the darkest of days, Karen’s gratitude prompts in Grateful Heart, can teach you how to cultivate joy. They flip on a light switch that reveals God’s goodness all around us. From “coffee makers” to “rainy days” to “relationships” and “job loss,” she offers perspective that can take us from resentment to refreshing ideas that help us see through spiritual eyes.

And that’s sure to lead us to the adoration our Lord deserves.

Gratitude Inspires Worship

If you’ve read my book, The Windblown Girl, you know that I was fired more than a decade ago from a job I loved. My employer brought one of the scientists to testify against me at my unemployment hearing (which resolved in my favor).  I’d considered him a dear friend, but they’d placed him in an adversarial position. Yet, when my boss didn’t call him as a witness, I did. That was the last time I’d talked with him–and it’s been more than fifteen years.

At the time, I decided no one was going to destroy my precious memories of that job. So rather than allow resentment toward the injustice creep in, I chose to be grateful and reflected on the incredible opportunities and wonderful working relationships I’d experienced. But never did I ever imagine what happened one recent Sunday morning.

It was a “God thing.” That’s the only explanation for why I decided to sit on the opposite side of the church from my usual place. Seeing a woman alone, I asked if I might sit beside her. Looking up, she replied that she was saving a seat for her husband, then invited me to sit on the other side. That’s when I recognized my former colleague’s wife. Thankfully I realized this awkward situation was no mistake.

It was my choice how to respond, and I’m so thankful I’d listened to God’s voice and practiced gratitude during the intervening years instead of allowing bitterness and anger to fill my thoughts. After the service, I easily told my former colleague how much I’d loved working with him. Our conversation was so gracious and healing that my worship of the Lord lasted long into the night and continues even now whenever I think of that providential moment. I never would have deliberately chosen to sit there, but am so glad I did.

Freedom from negative thinking/emotions becomes far more possible when we listen to the Lord. His voice cultivates Joy in ways that magnify spring’s spectacular display of God’s goodness.