Gratitude and Peace

Gratitude and Peace

We all want to feel greater peace in our lives.  The world can be so chaotic and so many things seem--and sometimes are--out of our control.  I have found that practicing gratitude goes a long way in helping me realize the blessings I do have, and the good that influences my life everyday.  So, today's question is:  

In our fast paced and chaotic world, how can a sense of gratitude help me to feel more peaceful?

Gratitude is an attribute—perhaps the primary attribute—that connects us to Deity.  As we look out upon the natural world, taking in and appreciating its wonder and beauty, we realize there is a power and creative force at work in the universe.  Giving thanks for these wonders, our hearts and minds are turned to a source of power far beyond our own.  Many acknowledge this force as God, and feel not only appreciation for His handiwork but also a security and peace in knowing that someone all-knowing is in charge. 

In the Old Testament, when Elijah was directed by an angel to stand on Mt. Horeb, he experienced a great rushing wind, an earthquake, and a fire.  We are told that the Lord was not in any of these manifestations.  Following all of these, there came a "still small voice."  This was the voice of God, a voice of peace.  The spirit of God is the spirit of peace!

Just as Elijah experienced the overpowering wind that broke the rocks around him into pieces, just as he endured the earthquake and the fire, we too endure much over which we have no control.  However, as we practice gratitude everyday, our growing sense of appreciation will allow us to hear the voice of comfort, and feel the spirit of peace that will eventually come into our lives.  This recoginition comes as we acknowledge  that there is Someone greater and far more capable than we who is in charge.  The yielding up of our attitude of self-sufficiency—at least enough to acknowledge God's hand in our affairs--helps give us a sense of peace. It also engenders humility.  Add to that humility and peace the blessing of friends, family and associates who touch us in significant, positive ways, and we come to know that we definitely are not alone.  It is when we lose site of the Divine good in our lives, and the divinely good people who reach out to us, that our sense of peace and gratitude falters.  

I encourage you, when life gets overwhelming, to take time out to write down a list of the blessings that have come to you through the grace of God and the gift of associating with the people who fill your world.  It doesn't matter if that list is long or short.  Take some time to focus on each item you've noted, and give thanks.

This exercise takes some time and effort, but gratitude, like all things of value, is not a cheap gift. However, a consistent effort given over time becomes a habit, and the habit of being grateful yields many blessings--a sense of peace among them.   Take 10 or 15 minutes a day to recount your blessings. Remember the feelings you had as each blessing came into your life, and take a moment to relive those feelings of appreciation.  As you engage in this exercise, I promise it will make a significant difference in your level of peace, and the degree of gratitude that fills your heart.