I have a friend in England who is in her mid-eighties. Although she's housebound and frail, she has an attitude of gratitude every time we talk on the telephone. One of her favorite hymns has always been, "Count Your Blessings." So I was concerned when she remarked one day, "I've stopped naming my blessings one by one." But then she continued cheerfully, "My blessings are so many, I'm weighing them ton by ton!"

Years ago when I was struggling with restless sleep, I started a new habit. Throughout each day I tried to notice every blessing, large or small, that came my way. Each night in bed I named them one by one and thanked God for them all. Not only did this practice change my attitude from negative to positive, but I often fell into a peaceful sleep before finishing my list. God used a time of struggle in my life to help me to develop an attitude of thanksgiving.

Donald Grey Barnhouse said, "How strange that the Lord must plead with those whom He has saved from the pit to show gratitude to Him!" Is the Lord using a tough trial to plead with you to praise Him more? If so, start counting your blessings and discover how good it is to give thanks to the Lord (Ps. 92:1).  — Joanie Yoder