Gratitude is a Guardrail
Weekly Grace | Edition #9
*Weekly Grace is your go-to Sunday newsletter for starting each week on a positive note. Each edition offers encouraging words to uplift your spirit, practical resources for a fulfilling week, and heartfelt prayers. Begin your week with grace, inspiration, and encouragement.*
Sunday Reflections
‘I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. ‘
- Psalms 9:1-2
Yesterday, I shared a post on Instagram recapping the month of October. Long story short, last month grabbed me by the edges and threw me around like Ms. Trunchbull.
As if I needed confirmation that life was beating me up, one of my coworkers said to me, “Dang, you must really be going through it. You don’t shout like you used to.”
Ma’am…please.
For context, I may or may not be known for having spontaneous praise breaks during the workday. To be honest, her words stuck with me. Not because she was wrong, but because I knew in my spirit that my praise had become quiet. It wasn’t absent, but it was just…muffled.
Why did I let life turn down my worship?
The truth is, I have MANY things to praise God for.
A safe place to live
A car that’s paid off
A job that allows me to pay my bills
A family that loves me
Friends who cover me in prayer and make me laugh when I’m having a crappy day
Do I have complaints about some of these things? Sure. But my complaints don’t outweigh the truth that it’s only by the goodness of God that I have them at all.
That’s the tension of gratitude. I know what God has done, but sometimes I’d rather choose bitterness, discouragement, or self-pity.
Gratitude is not a foreign concept to me. In fact, last year, my mom encouraged (forced) us to send one thing we were thankful for into the family group chat for #thankfulthursdays. Were there some days that I ignored the chat? Yep! But it ultimately trained me to look for goodness even on the days I didn’t feel it.
I recently read that gratitude is a guardrail.
It keeps your heart from drifting into comparison and longing for things God hasn’t given you. It protects you from bitterness and keeps you anchored to what’s already true instead of what you wish was different.
So, as we enter into November (the month that just about screams “BE THANKFUL!”) I’m challenging myself (and you) to be intentional.
Here’s the challenge:
Every day this month, write down a list of things you’re grateful for that corresponds with the date.
November 3rd = 3 things
November 10th = 10 things
November 25th = 25 things
I’m already anticipating struggling a bit once we get into the double digits, but it doesn’t have to just be big things. Write down the small things too — the text message that made you smile, the warm coffee that felt like a hug, or the breath in your lungs when you wake up.
Gratitude doesn’t have to wait for the miracle. Sometimes, gratitude in the midst of hard seasons is the miracle.
I’ll be sharing my daily lists over on Instagram, so feel free to follow along and share yours with me.
Prayer:
Lord, help me notice You in the ordinary. Keep me from letting discouragement silence my praise. Teach me to see Your fingerprints in my everyday life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As you prepare for the week ahead…
Here’s your weekly roundup of resources and inspiration.
G – Good Reads
📖 The Year of Less→ I read this book last year, and it definitely encouraged me to consume less and learn how to live comfortably with what I already have. I think I’m going to read it again as we get ready to head into a new year. Should we do a book club?
📝 From the Archives
Take a Closer Look
·One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in f…
R – Recommendations
🎧 Learning to Forgive God’s Way from the Black Girl Theology Podcast
A – Announcements
📚 Struggling with Bible study? Check out this guide that helps you pull out the most important things from the Scriptures.
C – Community
👉🏾 This week, I want to highlight my friend, Chanda Stegall. She hosts a weekday Bible study on YouTube called Walking in the Word.
E – Essentials
📚 I love a good audiobook, and Audible is running a holiday promotion! Sign up today and get your first 3 months for $0.99.
That’s it for this week’s round-up. Praying for a blessed week ahead!
With grace and glory,
Ashtyn 🤍