Is it possible to always be thankful?

I think it is because the Bible commands us to. So how do we do it? How do we cultivate a thankful heart and attitude despite what’s going on?

I don’t know. But I want to find out.

I do know one thing though… thankfulness isn’t dependent on circumstances or things going our way. At least that’s true for me.

For example, I’m a goal oriented person. I enjoy starting new projects, getting things done and taking steps towards my goals. I guess you could call me Type-A. And I realized there’s a danger to constantly living this way if I’m not careful to pause to be thankful.

The danger is that I could always be living in the future and never take time to enjoy the present. This hit me hard this morning, let me explain…

We have three kids, ages 3, 1 and 2 months. Needless to say we don’t usually get a full uninterrupted night’s sleep. But last night was harder than normal. Our Lily (1-year-old) is teething has a rash. So she woke up multiple times.

And our 3-year-old, Emma Grace, loves life so much she bolts out of bed as soon as she can… which is usually before 7:00 am. So anyway, after a rough night I get up and immediately I’m in a grumpy mood.

The thoughts going through my head include:

I have to talk to Lacie about our whole “traveling in a motorhome idea” and let her know it’s not going to work if it’s going to be like this… I need rest to work. And I haven’t been able to focus on work in the mornings.

I have so much work to do. I really need to get out go here and go to a coffee shop to work.

Things will be better when I move from a service-based business to a product-based business model.

Then it hit me. Life is good. Really good. Here I am in Sunriver staying in a cool little vacation house with my wife, kids and sister. I get to work remotely so I’m able to take trips like this. I have 3 beautiful kids who I love and who love me. Life is good.

I have every reason in the world to be thankful.

And so I just started telling God what I was thankful for, out loud. I believe there’s power in our words and I felt it this morning as my mood shifted from grumpy, cranky tired Dad to a grateful Father, Husband, Brother and Son.

Thankfulness is always an option. But I believe we have to choose it. Life is good. Think about it… think of everything you have to be thankful for and tell God out loud about it.

About Josh Monen

Josh is a Christian entrepreneur who lives in Central Texas with his wife and 4 kids.