“Studies have shown that… grateful people view their lives more favorably than others, have increased energy and self-confidence, and demonstrate better coping. They are more generous and optimistic, have a greater sense of purpose, have fewer medical problems, exercise more, and sleep better than their peers.…”

(What Brilliant Psychologists Are Learning About Humility
by Mark R. McMinn – Christianity Today Magazine)

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(Colossians 3:17)

“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”

(Philippians 2:14)

Christian counselor and writer Matt B. Redmond recently highlighted the important habit of writing down specific things that fill us with gratitude.
 
He points out that we live in a world where the above verses are not the norm. Instead, we live in a world where complaint and a culture of rage used to be the exception, rather than the rule. Today we encounter these things all too often. 
 
He writes, “The internet and social media have not only given us a place to complain, but they have formed us into people who complain and display their frustrations in hopes people will join in with us. We rage about politics, sports, movies, and how bad the service is at restaurants. It’s almost like we’re looking for reasons to be upset.”
 
Redmond goes on to write about his experience as a counselor: “What’s interesting is that none of this really makes us feel better. When I talk to a client about this, it’s interesting that none ever say they are happier as a result of their rage or complaining.”
 
So, what’s the antidote? 

Redmond suggests, “One thing I give my clients to do that has almost always had a good effect—is a gratitude list. I have them write down ten things they are thankful for every morning. Ten unique things. No repeats. Yep, no repeats.”
 
Redmond says that after a week or two, it gets really hard to come up with ten things you are thankful for. You have to start getting creative. You have to start looking around you at the small things you overlook daily.
 
The exercise starts stretching you. It stretches mental muscles daily, so your ability to be grateful is stronger. You are training yourself every day to look for reasons to give thanksgiving to God instead of complaining.
 
Consider what complaint and rage are a response to… it’s basically us not getting our own way. Something is getting in the way of our will. Whose “will” do we want anyway? Thy will be done, or my will be done?
 
Now, imagine being a person overflowing with thanksgiving to God. Imagine “giving thanks in all circumstances,” as Paul instructed. Just imagine the potential for joy because you see reasons to fill your heart with gratitude everywhere and in all circumstances – when you’re on vacation and when you’re in a hospital bed.
 
When you become that kind of person, anger and complaint can be fought off because you have now submitted your will to God’s will.
 
Give it a try. 
 
You’ve got nothing to lose except your complaining.
 
And, over time, you’ll be surprised how your attitude improves and how much more joy you experience.

“No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of grateful joy changes the present.”

(Ann Voskamp)

“Seek… to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.”

(Alexander Maclaren – 1826-1910)

“Keep your own happiness journal. Record God’s evident goodness around you every day. You’ll find that in time, you’ll see more and more gifts from him – not because there are more, but because you’re finally seeing what has been there all along.”

(Randy Alcorn)

“Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. And he sinks his venom into the heart of Eden. Satan’s sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude… Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren’t satisfied in God and what He gives.”

(Ann Voskamp)

“Once we experience thanksgiving as our default condition, we’ll find it’s inseparable from our happiness, and we’ll never want to go back to the barren wasteland of ingratitude.” 

(Randy Alcorn)

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

(Colossians 2:6-7 NASB)