Author Ann Voskamp in her book, One Thousand Gifts , writes about her struggle to live joyfully amid sin, sorrow and suffering. She invites us to embrace everyday blessings and engage in the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God’s gifts. Embracing a posture of gratitude is both a life changer and difference maker in a world without peace.

Songwriter Matt Redman found inspiration in Psalm 103 when composing 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord). We have so much to be grateful for, considering the superabundance of God’s grace, his promises of a future, and his present goodness. Peace in our hearts equips us for peacemaking.

The Apostle Paul writes, “ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17).

We are “called to peace”—this should be our trademark. And thankfulness seems to be the key that unlocks the door to peacemaking. So focus on the positive. Name your blessings one by one. Rejoice. Worship. Be thankful. This will bring you closer to Christ and closeness to him will result in closeness to each other; for no one has time for fault-finding when focused on Christ.

I close by pointing you toward a message that has greatly challenged and impacted me since my teenage years: The Weapon of Rejoicing by Otto Koning (best known for his “Pineapple Story.”)