Sometime ago, I heard about the “30 Day Gratitude Challenge.” Intrigued by the idea, I decided to try it in my own life.

The idea is simple: Practice gratitude daily through acts, service, intention, and/or prayer for 30 days. It sounds so easy, but in reality this can sometimes feel like a challenge. What if we are hurting physically or emotionally, or just having a really bad day? What if we are just too busy?

If your life looks anything like mine, then you know that some days it can be hard to find even 10 free minutes between work, family life, and everything else. Despite all of this, I completed the challenge and am very “grateful” that I did.

When we take the time to think about it, each one of us has so much to be thankful for. The Lord has promised us life abundant, and as believers, we are to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Col. 3:17). Reflecting and acting on this fact repeatedly over a course of 30 days has had a very powerful effect on my thoughts and actions, and I am now more consciously grateful for the blessings and grace in my life. I would encourage anyone to give this challenge a try and see how it changes your life, too!

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7 NIV)