So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?  —Romans 2:3-4 (NIV)

Discontentment followed me like a faithful Labrador wherever I went during the first few years of my marriage. Every little thing my husband did that I didn’t like was immediately logged onto a mental scoreboard. I fostered resentment and constantly convinced myself that I was always right. Isn’t it incredibly easy for us as women to carry around a mental scoreboard like that? We tally and log every little irritation in our relationships, completely missing the beautiful things God has given us to celebrate.

Fortunately, God used an unexpected catalyst to change my outlook on life and ultimately lead me to a saving faith: a very large book about gratitude published in 1995 called Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I’m still not sure if the author is a Christian, but the book’s focus on recognizing the amazing abundance already present in my life completely overwhelmed me. It forced me to face my own sins of discontentment, judgment, and self-righteousness, which broke my heart and led me to repentance.

Honestly, I don’t even remember how I came to own the book. Somehow, God placed it into my hands. For three months, I read it and journaled every single day. I wrote about my two little boys, the gift of being able to stay home with them, my health, our home, and the food on our table. I even “confessed” that my husband was a huge blessing. I was truly grateful for it all. It is amazing how a simple shift toward gratitude can completely rewire our perspective on a difficult situation, opening the door wide for the Holy Spirit to work deep within our hearts.

What I didn’t see coming, however, was the sudden avalanche of conviction. Seeing the reality of my own sin would have crushed me if not for the overwhelming grace and mercy of God. Shifting my focus from what I thought I lacked (mostly just getting my own way) to what I had didn’t just bring me contentment—it ushered in a deep spiritual pivot. I realized just how ungrateful, self-righteous, and mean-girl I had been acting. It reminded me that God loves to use the most unexpected tools—even a simple daily journal—to expose our blind spots. His kindness is so patient, gently nudging us toward repentance and a true change of attitude.

Only after I acknowledged my sinful heart and let God wrap me in His forgiveness did I finally see clearly. I didn’t deserve anything but the wrath of God, yet He forgave me and freed me from being a slave to sin! I knew without a doubt that I was entirely undeserving, and that nothing but the blood of Jesus had brought me into a relationship of pure grace through faith. I became a new creation—no longer living under the dictatorship of sin but happily resting under the authority of Jesus as a bondslave of Christ.

There is an old hymn written in 1897 by Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr. called “Count Your Blessings” that sums up this journey perfectly:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.  

Father, give me a heart filled with gratitude for all You have done! Keep my eyes focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Thank You for the very faith that enabled me to accept Your gift and to believe that I desperately needed a Savior, that Jesus died for my sins, rose on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. May I always and forever be grateful for the blood of Jesus, that has covered all my sin, discontentment included. Amen.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NJKV)
Marlene McKenna

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.

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