• Home
  • About
  • Books
  • One Word
    • One Word
    • Shop One Word Cards
  • Speaking
  • Audio
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

  • Character
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Seasons
  • Marriage
  • Parenting
  • Ask Susan

Why is it so hard to be thankful?

by Susan Alexander Yates

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving.  A day set aside for us to be thankful. It’s part of our history. It’s a tradition. It’s also a time for family gatherings.

But most of all it’s a time to reflect on God’s goodness to us.

However, it shouldn’t just be one day. We ought to be thankful every day, throughout each day, 365 days a year.

I know this, but I fail miserably at being thankful. Perhaps you do too.

Why is it so hard to be thankful?  

Why is it so hard to be thankful? I've struggled with this. Here are several reasons, and some solutions. Want to join me in being grateful every day?

Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash

Here are several reasons:

We’re too busy.

We tend to think, I’ll take time to praise God when life calms down. The reality is life will never calm down. It only gets more complicated, more intense. We can become addicted to busyness. It gives an adrenaline rush until we crash.

We don’t feel like it. Things are too hard right now.

We assume we’ll wait until we feel like it. Rarely will that happen and often it is when things are hard that we most need to praise God.

We’re lulled into taking things for granted.                               

Including God’s goodness. As parents we get frustrated when our children do not appreciate things. They just want more. In my relationship with God, I am so like my child.  I take God’s goodness for granted. And I don’t want to.

The enemy does not want us to praise God.                                       

Why? Because thanking God is pure worship. And in worship the power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed. According to Psalm 8:2, the praise of children silences the enemy.

When we begin to praise Him our perspective changes. We praise Him for who He is and for what He has done. When we take time to do this we will be enabled to see our current issues more from His perspective as we focus on His mighty power.

Praising God lifts us out of ourselves and thwarts the slippery slope into self-pity.

One day I was in my laundry room trying to catch up on endless piles of dirty clothes. It was a mess. I was a mess–discouraged, overwhelmed, feeling lonely, and a failure as a mom and wife.

Simply put, I was engaged in a self-pity party.

Why is it so hard to be thankful? I've struggled with this. Here are several reasons, and some solutions. Want to join me in being grateful every day?

Self-condemnation reared its ugly head. Susan, you should be thankful but you can’t even do that.  All of a sudden I noticed a tired old poster stuck on the wall. It read, ”You have made me glad…” (From Psalm 21:6).  

This was a pivotal moment for me. In reading these words, I realized that I couldn’t even make myself glad. I had to rely on Him to do even that. My spiritual poverty was far greater than I had imagined. How humbling this was–and yet how freeing.

Now when I don’t feel like being thankful I pray, Father I can’t even do that you without your help. Please make me glad in you. Then I begin in a step of faith to praise Him, and in time He brings my feelings to a place of His supernatural peace. If I praise Him out loud it helps to keep my mind from wandering.

One of the specific things I have been asking God to do in my life this year is to make me more of a person of praise, not just on Thanksgiving but every day.

Want to join me?

Why is it so hard to be thankful? I've struggled with this. Here are several reasons, and some solutions. Want to join me in being grateful every day?

Share40
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print
40Shares
Share40
Share
Pin
Text

You may also enjoy...

Faith, Thanksgiving
November 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment

« Ask Susan: What to Do About Sibling Rivalry
Ask Susan: How to Get Ahead of Holiday Stress »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • Affordable Gifts to Delight and Encourage Your Loved Ones
  • Warning: Beware the Slippery Slope of an Affair
  • How to Prepare Your Heart for Joyful Holidays with Family
  • Pray for This Priceless Gift for Your Kids
  • Our Grandson’s Liver Transplant: 3 Years Later

One Word

One Word: Sufficient

Featured Books

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy now!

One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days

One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
One Devotional: One Word, One Verse, One Thought for One Hundred Days
Buy now!
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Index

Search

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World

Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World
Buy now!

Popular

  • You are the Parent, Not Your Child: How to Discipline
  • Even on a Romantic Vacation, I Can Be Selfish
  • Celebrating 50 Years: How to Make a Marriage Last

Instagram post 2192400656046785923_3081923412 TODAY is the last day of our holiday sale! Use HOLIDAY20 at check out for 20% off our One Word cards! @christenbyates @jessblanchardstudio
Instagram post 2191731576344360547_3081923412 Are you looking for gift ideas this Christmas season? I wanted to share some recommendations; hoping this helps you find just the right gift for someone in your life. I love to give books that I’ve enjoyed, and I’ve got a list of those for you, plus some fun family games. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful! Link in bio!
Instagram post 2190929671254722781_3081923412 Oil of Joy “Therefore your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." Hebrews 1:9 Father, you choose to anoint your children with the oil of gladness. I ask you to anoint ______ with gladness and joy today. @christenbyates @jessblanchardstudio
Instagram post 2190244153127022753_3081923412 HOLIDAY SALE! Use code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off your entire order now through Dec 7! And check out our latest series of One Words! Link in bio
Instagram post 2187164433514729648_3081923412 Kindness “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of words done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Sprit." Titus 3: 4-5 It's so easy for me to focus on my unworthiness, but today I want to focus on your kindness - your loving kindness which is always reaching out towards me. Help me to notice and receive your kindnesses today. @jessblanchardstudio @christenbyates
Instagram post 2183139986646400923_3081923412 Announcing Our One Word Card Holiday Sale! 20% off your entire order, now through December 7th with code HOLIDAY20 EXCITING NEWS: We've just released a brand new set, Kindness, with all new art, words and prayers! Link in bio! @jessblanchardstudio @christenbyates
Instagram post 2181523988147274982_3081923412 Today on the blog - The Slippery Slope of an Affair. Link in Bio!
Instagram post 2180759292364377595_3081923412 Tempted “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18 Jesus, you understand my temptation because you were tempted in every way that I am or ever will be. During your 40 days in the wilderness you suffered temptation. You alone know this pain and you will deliver me if I let you. @jessblanchardstudio @christenbyates
Instagram post 2177168049570877093_3081923412 Hated “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." John 15:18 Father, it's easy for us or for our child to feel disliked or even hated. How comforting to know that you understand. We forget that your son was hated. Please comfort ______ today with the thought that you understand. @jessblanchardstudio @christenbyates

Copyright © 2019 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

40Shares
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkayPrivacy Policy