'“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 KJV

Expressing gratitude is something that was instilled in me as a child. I was taught to give thanks for the blessings I received. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned and embraced the importance of being grateful for everything in life—even the bad things.

About three years ago, a coworker who knew about my blog, told me about the gratitude journal, which is a diary of things the author is grateful for. It is designed to help focus on the positive things in life. When it was mentioned to me, I thought it was a great idea and I wanted to try it, but I hadn’t carved out the time to do it. A few days ago, I was scrolling through my Facebook page and I stopped at two posts from two years ago this week, which inspired me to start my journal. The FB posts weren’t the only things that inspired me. I was also encouraged to do this by the way I felt when I woke up this past Monday morning.

Every morning when I wake up and sit up in my bed, I immediately tell God “thank you.” I do this because I know He extended grace and mercy toward me and allowed me to wake up. And although I am truly grateful for life, I had a little more pep in my step on a Monday—of all days. As I was preparing for work, I realized my mind was at peace. I wasn’t complaining about the fact that I was going to work. This is significant because a year ago this week, I felt completely different. Back then, I was consumed with anxiety, discontent, and dread. I literally hated going to work. I was actually sad about it!

Two years ago this week I started a different position at work. Honestly speaking, as the first day of that gig approached, I started worrying and wondering if I was equipped to handle what I was about to face. The night before, I was still feeling uneasy, and the song “My Life is in Your Hands” by God’s Property came to my mind.

I know I wrote about this before, but it bears repeating. When the song came to my mind, I thought it was to comfort and reassure me—sending the message that everything was going to be alright. By no means am I saying everything didn’t turn out fine—well I see it did now. What I am saying is, it didn’t pan out the way I envisioned. And now that I think about it, I didn’t listen closely to the lyrics. He was telling me my heart was going to be broken—I was embarking upon a test. But He was letting me know that I could take it because He was with me, and joy was coming later.

“For His anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, by joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5 KJV

In a nutshell, my heart was broken and I was devastated, but my morning arrived. I am no longer fighting anxiety, discontent, and dread. However, I am grateful for that time in my life. I learned some invaluable lessons.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28 KJV
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:10 KJV
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross , despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 KJV
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” - Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Everything that happens to me may not feel good, but it is for my good and for His purpose. There are some things in life that I will have to endure, but I know I can make it regardless of how it may feel. Today, I am grateful for peace and the knowledge that my life is in His hands no matter what comes my way.