Day 36: Grumpiness

Which do you see first? A reason to be joyous or a reason to be grumpy?

Thank you, God, for my grumpiness.

Yep, you read that right. We were created with all of our emotions—happiness, joy, sadness, anger, anxiety, fear, doubt… and probably a few more that I’m not currently in touch with. But all of them—yes, all—show up somewhere in Scripture. God gave them to us. They’re part of who we are.

So, why am I thankful for being grumpy? Well… I’m not. Not really. But in the state of being grumpy, if I choose gratitude—if I choose to look for God—my perspective begins to shift. I begin to see God again, and how well I’m cared for, even when I don’t feel great.

As I sat down to write this entry, I wondered: Can I be grateful for something I’m not actually thankful for? Then I reflected on my past entries. It hit me—many of the things I’ve chosen to be grateful for were also perspective shifts away from being grumpy, sad, anxious, fearful, or doubtful.

I guess what I’m learning is that there’s often a gap between what I feel and what I choose. I might not feel grateful in the moment—especially when I’m grumpy or discouraged—but I can still choose to look for God, to name something good, to say thank you. That choice doesn’t cancel out the hard emotions; it just reminds me they don’t get the final word.  God is with us.

So yes, we are nearing the end of this published gratitude journal, but today I want to offer a few thoughts that might help us keep living with an attitude of gratitude, even after this series is over:

1. Gratitude is a choice.

   Gratitude isn’t solely based on external circumstances; it’s something we can choose, even when we’re sad or angry. It’s the rainbow after the rain—or the realization that while the rain may have ruined my plans, it’s nourishing the earth.

2. Find the good.

   Even on a “grumpy” day, there are still things to be grateful for: a warm bed, a loving family, or the simple act of breathing. I once watched a devotional video that said breathing is like saying the name of God. The Hebrew word for Spirit is Ruach. It may not sound like calling on the Holy Spirit at first, but after a few trips up the stairs—or a jog around the block—those heavier breaths might just convince you otherwise.

3. Shift your perspective.

   When we focus on gratitude, it helps reframe our thoughts and emotions. It doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it reminds us that the hard stuff isn’t the whole story.

4. Pray and reflect.

   Prayer is more than a habit—it’s an honest conversation with God. It’s where we can bring our full selves, grumpiness included, and if we’re listening, it’s often where we’re reminded that God is with us.

5. Lean into grace.

   God’s grace might be the greatest gift we discover through gratitude. Life isn’t always easy, but grace helps us see that we’re not walking through it alone. God’s love shows up, even when we’re focused on everything else.

So, God… thank you for the hard times. Maybe I’m not exactly thankful for them, but I am thankful for you. Thank you for walking with me through them—like a divine tour guide, gently helping me see your goodness, even when I was busy focusing on something else.