Your life is full of ups and downs: You get a raise at work, your car breaks down; your child gives his life to Jesus; your loved one passes away; you’re on a spiritual high, then you’re depressed the next day.

In either case, choose gratitude.

If you’re going through a tough time, count your blessings. It’s impossible to be blue if you’re thanking God for all his gifts.

If everything’s great, praise Him! It’s easier to be thankful when you’re happy. Unfortunately, it’s also easy to take Him for granted in the good times.

So no matter what season you’re in, let gratitude be your go-to. Thank him regularly for every blessing, big and small. Start and end every day thanking God. You’ll not only be blessed, you’ll be a blessing!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4