When it is difficult to feel gratitude: look for protection and provision

 I keep a gratitude journal, which I write in at the end of each day. However on some days it is a struggle to find things to be grateful for, and then I find that it helps to look for examples of protection and provision instead. It seems to be that gratitude is linked with a sense of happiness and positivity -- and some days it can be difficult to feel this -- whereas protection and provision is more feeling neutral.

23rd Psalm 

At the beginning of the pandemic I found lots of comfort in the 23rd Psalm and, as I read it, it occurred to me that it was all about protection and provision, the two things that I most needed.

The Lord is my Shepherd, (a Shepherd protects the sheep)

I shall not be in want. (promise of provision)

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul. (protection and provision)

He guides me in the paths of righteousness,

for His name's sake. (provision)

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me; (protection)

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (protection and provision)

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies. (protection and provision)

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows. (provision)

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (the ultimate protection and provision)

(NIV version of the Bible).

Protection

I found that by living life one day at a time, some days I know I am in a totally safe place at home, and I just need to remind myself of this when fears and anxieties creep in. However on days when I need to venture forth into the wider world, I might reflect that I was protected by e.g. shopping in an uncrowded supermarket, finding no-one else in the waiting room when I needed to go for pathology tests, people around me maintaining physical distancing in the pharmacy, and others wearing masks (a bit of a rare occurrence in our town, sadly) etc.

Provision

During the year, I have found abundant examples of this, ranging from the breaking of the drought (and our green pastures in which to rest), to vegetables and herbs growing in my garden, to finding scarce groceries in the supermarket, to having a storehouse of fabrics and sewing supplies and other resources to draw on, to finding on-line inspiring courses, to beautiful places to walk on our farm, to encouraging emails from friends and relatives, to comforting music, to living in Australia -- and so much more.

I have noticed that if I use the heading "Provision" in my gratitude journal on days when I am not feeling very grateful, I end up writing many things that I may have written as things to be grateful for on a better day.

Remember: Real empathy is sometimes not insisting that it will all be OK, but acknowledging that it is not. Sheryl Sandberg.