Despite the woes of the world there is hope – and the key is gratitude

You are an Overcomer…that’s why you are here, writes Muyiwa Olarewaju

Nothing but Truth and Light: Muyiwa Olarewaju

THERE ARE massive protests in countries that deal mercilessly with people who dare to raise their voices. 

Superpowers refuse to dialogue whilst the wars they are fighting affect you and I.

Social media owners fight to control our speech and the narrative around us. Billion dollar companies are suing others for data for leaking our data. Earthquakes are striking in different parts of the world. Natural disasters are overtaking people even as they sit in the churches… our bills are costing a lot more.

On the face of it, there is every reason to despair as we look back over the year. However, I have come to remind you that expressing gratitude is not just good for a spiritual state but it improves our mental and physical health. 

DIFFICULT TIMES: Newspapers have been full of death and destruction (photo: Getty Images)

Put simply, gratitude practised daily is like a magic pill that you have been searching for on Amazon. It’s better than the shot of coffee the barrister shoved into your hand this morning.

Gratitude releases oxytocin, a hormone that helps us connect with other people. Some call it the love hormone – that’s what gratitude brings into our lives. 

Listen to these words from the Bible: Philippians 4:6-7…”Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ, Jesus.”

Now you could say to me “Muyiwa, I hear you, but you don’t understand. In January, Covid took out friends and family of mine. In February, a brother lost his cousin when Russia invaded Ukraine. In March, the finance that I needed for my business was rejected.

In April, the doctor told me I had a condition that was going to change my life. In May, I hit a bout of depression when they announced there is a new thing called monkeypox.

WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS: There’s a lot of bad news across the world

I was afraid whether this will take away more people that I loved. In June, earthquakes reported in Afghanistan and Pakistan killed so many people. In July, Shinzo Abe was assassinated in Japan whilst giving a speech. Is anyone safe these days?

“In August, it looked like things were going to kick off with China and that they might have gone to war and marched into Taiwan. In September, Her Majesty the Queen died. My parents, uncles and aunties were heartbroken. They loved her Majesty.

In October, the problems with Russia continue to affect us and now there are rumbles of more upheaval on my social media timeline about Elon Musk buying Twitter. In November, the world’s population reached an all-time high yet we can’t solve simple problems of poverty.”

There are so many reasons to despair but can I challenge you to have a look at each month and find one thing to be grateful for. 

Go back through your diary and see what good there is in the month. Remember gratitude leads to joy. 

Psalm 126:1-3 says “when the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Reflecting over what God has done and how you have made it through would remind you that you are not just a survivor. You are an Overcomer…that’s why you are here. 

There is everything to be grateful for even though not all that we need has been done. Not all the boxes have been ticked but there is every reason to be thankful. 

Psalm 105:1 says “Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done”. 

When you have reflected and remembered what good things have happened to you over the year. Tell somebody about it, get on your social media timeline, and shout it out loud! 

Not everything I want has happened but I am grateful for what God has done so far. Let’s enter the new year loud and proud with a grateful heart.

Remember our lives are full of reasons to be thankful. We just need to stop long enough to acknowledge them.

Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE is Station Director at Premier Gospel Radio, a TV & Radio Broadcaster, and Principal of gospel group Muyiwa & Riversongz

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