It's been a little while since I last dropped into your inbox—and I want to begin with a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for sticking with me, for your grace, and for allowing me space to rest and recover.

Over the last couple of months, life brought some unexpected challenges—a broken foot, a bout of shingles, and other health hurdles that forced me to slow down and, eventually pause completely. It hasn't been easy. I missed writing to you, and I had to lay a few other things down too.

But God has used that quiet time to do a deeper work in me—and one of the most powerful lessons He's been teaching me is the value of gratitude, —especially when life doesn't look the way you hoped it would.

What If a Simple Shift Could Transform How You Feel?

Have you noticed how easy it is to focus on what's missing? Maybe you're waiting for a breakthrough, longing for change, or just caught up in the relentless loop of daily demands. It's natural to notice what's not working, what's slow, unfinished, or unfair.

But what if shifting your focus could shift your experience?

That's the power of gratitude.

Gratitude doesn't ignore what's hard. It doesn't deny the pain. It simply invites us to look for God in the middle of it—to notice what's still good, even when life is hard.

How Gratitude Can Change Your Life

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This verse isn't asking you to pretend everything's perfect or to ignore your pain. It's not saying you have to be thankful for the hardship, it's reminding us to be thankful in the hardhsip.

Why? Because gratitude realigns our focus. It lifts our eyes from the struggle and helps us see that God is still with us, still working, still providing—even when life looks nothing like you expected.

Gratitude is a spiritual re-set. It trades anxiety for awareness of God's presence in places that feel dry, disappointing, or broken.

Here's what I've noticed:
🌟 Instead of stressing over what's missing, gratitude helps you recognise what you already have—and how God is already at work, often in ways you didn't notice before.

🌟 Instead of getting stuck in what's going wrong, gratitude opens your eyes to what's still good, still lovely, still worth celebrating.

🌟 Instead of letting discouragement take over, gratitude reminds you that God hasn't left your story. He's still writing beauty into it—even in the chapters you wouldn't have chosen.

Gratitude doesn't instantly remove the tough circumstances. But it does transform how you walk through them. It helps you walk with God through the pain. And it changes you—and when you change, the way you experience life changes too.

What Gratitude Has Done for Me (And Can Do for You)

A few years ago, I walked through a season that left me physically drained and emotionally raw. I didn't have the strength to do much, but I knew I needed to anchor my heart to something more than my circumstances. So I started a simple habit.

Each evening, I wrote down three things I was thankful for.

Some days, it was the small things:

✨ A message from a friend

✨ The kindness of my husband

✨ The warmth of the sun while sitting in the garden

Other days, it was something deeper:

✨ A worship song that encouraged me

✨ A Scripture that spoke straight to my heart

✨ The way God met me in the stillness reminding me I was seen and loved

At first, it felt like a discipline. But over time, it became a lifeline.

As the days went on, I started to notice how this daily pause was rewiring my thoughts. It helped me enter each day more grounded, more hopeful, more open to joy—even though I was still hurting. My heart softened. I became less reactive. I found peace, even when the to-do list remained untouched.

Gratitude didn't change my circumstances—but it changed me. It reminded me that I wasn’t stuck—I was growing. And I didn't need life to "get back to normal" before I could experience peace and joy.

Even when the hard things didn't go away, I wasn't drowning in them anymore.

If you're walking through a difficult, slow, or uncertain season, I want you to know that while gratitude doesn't erase the hard parts, it makes them easier to carry.

And it's something simple you can begin right now, right where you are.

📝 Action Step: Start a Gratitude Habit

For the next 7 days, try this: each evening, before bed—or each morning as you wake—write down three things you're grateful for. They don't have to be big or dramatic. Often it’s the small, ordinary moments that hold the most meaning.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

✅ A moment of peace in the middle of a busy day

✅ A kind word, or unexpected encouragement

✅ A verse that spoke to your situation

✅ The beauty of a flower, a sunrise, or birdsong

✅ A memory that reminded you of God's faithfulness

✅ Strength to get through a day you didn't think you could

You might be surprised what you see when you look through the lens of gratitude.

💬 Want to go deeper? Try journaling a sentence or two about each one. Let yourself feel the gratitude. Talk to God about it. Let it become a conversation—and even a prayer.

A Prayer of Gratitude (To Pray Out Loud)

Heavenly Father, You are good even when life feels hard. You are near even when I feel alone. Thank You for being faithful—even when I don't understand what's happening around me.

Today, I choose to lift my eyes to You. I may not feel thankful for every situation, but I can be thankful in it, because I know You are with me. You are my refuge, my strength, and my ever-present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Lord, open my eyes to the blessings I've been overlooking. Help me to see Your hand in the ordinary moments, To recognize Your grace in unexpected places, And to find joy, not because everything is easy, but because You are with me in it all.

Give me a heart that notices… The kindness of others. The beauty in nature. The peace in quiet moments. The whisper of Your voice in the stillness.

Let my gratitude be more than a feeling, make it a habit, a way of life, a declaration of trust. Because when I thank You, it helps me to remember who You are. And when I remember who You are, my heart is strengthened.

Father, I praise You, not because my life is easy, But because You are faithful. Thank You for walking with me, and working all things together for my good. (Romans 8:28)

Today, I choose gratitude. Today, I choose trust. Today, I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus.

Fill my heart with peace, joy, and renewed hope as I walk forward with You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

What Are You Grateful for Today?

I'd love to hear from you. Hit "reply" and share one thing you're thankful for today. Let’s celebrate the small things and encourage each other in the process.

Want to Grow in Faith & Purpose?

If you're ready to deepen your walk with God, grow in faith and trust, and learn how to support other people in their journey, my newly updated Christian Life Coach Training is waiting for you.

It's available as self-paced study, so you can move at your own speed—and it's not just for people who want to be coaches. It's for anyone who wants to:

✅ Learn how to support people more effectively

✅ Discover practical tools for navigating challenges with wisdom

✅ Grow spiritually and live with deeper purpose

✅ Align their life, work, and ministry with what God is calling them to do.

If you've ever wanted to help people grow while growing yourself, this training is for you.

Looking for Daily Encouragement?

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Coming Next:

Next time, we'll talk about surrender—what it really means to let go and trust God completely.

When we cling to control, we carry unnecessary stress, anxiety, and pressure. But when we surrender, we open ourselves to God's peace, His plans, and His presence in a deeper way.

We'll explore what happens when we let go and allow God to lead. It might just be the breakthrough you've been waiting for.

Until then, keep showing up, choose gratitude, and trust that God is working behind the scenes.

With love and encouragement,
Lynne