Paul does not say, “Give thanks FOR all circumstances”. He says “Give thanks IN all circumstances”. Obviously, there is a big difference between the two, but gratitude is God’s practical antidote to unhappiness. In this post, Amy uses the examples of Corrie Ten Boom and the Apostle Paul to challenge us to be both honest and grateful in our daily spiritual walk.

This week, we learned about “fatism” and were convicted about how we judge overweight people - even ourselves sometimes. Are we willing to love ourselves and others past the outward appearances we see? Even more, we were challenged to live in courageous community and in gratitude to God and others. Click through for these posts and more of our favorites from around the web.

I’m thinking about you Olivia. You weren’t supposed to be here. The doctors told us you would not live long if you made it through your birth. We shed plenty of tears the day you were born. I’m learning about love from you, Olivia, and sharing it with the world.

While pulling dandelions in her yard, RJ felt miserable, but she also remembered her friend who struggles with muscular dystrophy and how important gratitude is. Philippians 4:11 says: “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” How can you show gratitude today, even if you have an inconvenient or unpleasant task before you?

The world we live in is materialistic and focused on appearances. In the world’s eyes, if you look beautiful, you are beautiful. As women of God we need to wrestle that thought to the ground.

God is always with us. Isaiah 40:10 reminds us that the Lord will strengthen and help us, so we need not fear. One of the ways God does this is in the way that he teaches us - sometimes in surprising moments. In this short, funny and powerful post, RJ Thesman, writes about one such grace-drenched lesson from God. I appreciated her willingness to be transparent. I laughed out loud because I do the same things. My day is already brighter because I read it. May it do the same for you.