There is a spiritual practice that has been really helping me lately. It is a habit that I’m trying to form in order to combat my bad attitude. I don’t want to be short and snippy with my wife and kids. I don’t want to be easily irritated. I’ve found this one thing can quickly soften my sharp mood. What I’m talking about it called gratitude.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When you read this Scripture it can sound like a call to sugarcoat reality. You could hear it saying “Just put on a happy face.” But, it’s not saying that. In fact, the author was writing to a group of believers who were walking through really tough situations. Many of them had lost family members to persecution and were suffering. The writer, the apostle Paul, was also someone who knew suffering and sorrow well. He had been persecuted and wrongly imprisoned. So, these words aren’t meant to trivialize struggles or sugarcoat reality. Rather, they are calls to form habits that help your soul navigate the harsh realities of life with resilience and tenderness.

Gratitude is simply noticing the goodness all around you. God’s goodness is not hard to find but easily overlooked. It’s a hot cup of coffee in the morning and that sizzling bacon for breakfast. How can you not believe God is good when you are eating bacon!? It’s the beautiful scenery outside your window and the car that takes you where you need to go. It’s the people around you that love you and encourage the best in you. God’s goodness is everywhere in little and big ways. But, are we noticing?

Often we’re too busy being critical to be grateful. It’s amazing how our attention is drawn to what’s wrong. We are stuck whining about our hangnail and fail to give thanks for all the major organs that are doing fantastic jobs. We get mad at God when we’re sick one night, but don’t give thanks for the months we are healthy. We grumble about what we don’t have, while overlooking the wealth we’ve accumulated.

“Gratitude curbs critical tendencies by upstaging them with thanksgiving”

Adele Calhoun from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

Gratitude is also a choice. Paul says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” But, I too easily buy the lie that my bad mood is something that happened to me. This bad thing happened. Therefore, I have a bad attitude. We act as if we have no choice but to be cranky. In reality, we’ve made the choice to be short-tempered and impatient. It’s not that the situation isn’t truly frustrating. It may be actually annoying. But, our response doesn’t have to be dictated by our circumstances. We can choose to notice the goodness and give thanks in all circumstances.

“We each have the power to interpret the facts of our lives. We make the choices that turn us into bitter or grateful people.”

Adele Calhoun from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

Christians have good reasons to give thanks in every circumstance. We have received God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We have his promises and faithfulness to always be with us and redeem us. We have the hope of the resurrection life. Jesus died, rose, and is coming again. We can be thankful in all circumstances, because of these amazing gospel truths.

How are you doing today? Do you find yourself having a bad attitude. Then, start looking around for God’s goodness. As you notice things, choose to give thanks to the Lord. Let gratitude soften your attitude.