It’s your attitude not your aptitude, no matter your situation.

The tag line in the ad, March 20th kicks off “Act Happy Week”, reminded me of an interview. A charismatic TV co-host was asked “How do you wake up in the morning?” Wide grinned and sparkly eyed he all but chirped: “I wake up happy!” What did that mean for my life? Happy is having or demonstrating pleasure or satisfaction; characterized by luck or good fortune, prosperous (The American Heritage Dictionary). Happy is dependent on a pleasurable situation. Although glad for him I had to admit I hadn’t awakened consistently like that in many years!

Many of us don’t have champagne personalities. We just can’t, won’t or don’t snap, crackle, pop and fizz through the day. Though not satisfied or pleased (happy) in a current situation ( lost a job, can’t find a job, money outages, more work for the same or less pay, relationship storms, health challenges, depressing and distressing news loops on TV and on and on) we can be thankful. Thankful is being grateful, appreciative of benefits received; appreciative awareness. Thankful is an intentional, willful response in the middle of the situation. Thankful is an ‘attitude of gratitude’. Two questions remain, How? and Why?

Wake up thankful: Jump start your morning the night before.

Here’s the challenge. For the next 30 days get quiet in the evening and unplug from technology. Start with a favorite Bible verse or Psalm (Ps 8:2, Ps 9:1-2, Ps 23, Ps 32:1-2, Ps 34, Ps 37:1-5, Ps 63, Ps 65, Ps 84:5, Ps 139, NRSV to list a few). After you unwind, rewind your day and find at least one thing God was faithful in for you or find one answer He gave you. “I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:21) Just before sleep proclaim divine protection as told in Psalm 91.

Wake up thankful: Praise on purpose

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Before the alarm summons you to your feet, without opening your eyes declare in your spirit; ”I thank you that I can wake up, know where I am, know who I am, and whose I am”.   Yesterday is a memory lesson about dependence on God. Be intentionally grateful for another chance to experience grace and mercy. Beginning with a thankful heart sets the melody of hopefulness and joyfulness for the day. From a thankful heart praise is given to God for who He is. Crazy praise brings overflowing joy in spite of your circumstances. “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the work of your hands I sing for joy.” Psalm 92:4 NRSV

Be thankful that God is not a man that he should lie (Num 23:19), that God keeps his promises (Psalm 25:10, Ps 145:13, 1Cor 10:13, Hebrews 6:13-20), that Jesus is Lord (Acts 15:11, 1 Co 8:6, 2 Co 4:5, Rev 17:14), that nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39), that even though you walk through the darkest valley He is with you (Ps 23;4), that the joy God gives no one can take (John 16:22), that goodness and mercy shall follow you (Ps 23:6), that the word of God is living and active (Heb 4:12), that hope is a steadfast anchor of your soul (Heb 6:19), and that grace and mercy brought you through (2John 1:3).

Wake up thankful: Experience a change

Being thankful changes your focus: from self to God, problems to possibilities, hopelessness to prosperity

Being thankful changes your attitude: from despair to hope, tragedy to joy, impatience to patient waiting

Being thankful changes your outcome: failures become building blocks for wisdom, criticism concedes to compassion, apathy is washed away by love

Thankfulness, humbled gratitude sets the tone for dealing with life’s hiccups and shifts the atmosphere from me centered to other centered. A certain presence, a humble confidence, a jubilant hope and a compassionate spirit are evidence of a grateful heart. Thankfulness ……………… glorifies God!