Years ago, I suffered from depression. In the midst of it, the Lord challenged me with one of the healthiest habits to do every day, found in Psalm 119:164:
Seven times I praise you because of your righteous judgments.”
He impressed upon me to get a pretty journal and write down 7 things each day for which I was thankful.
He further challenged me to do it each day for 30 days.
I did it. And by the end of that 30 days, I was happier and more peaceful than I had ever been!
That depression lifted.
If it ever tries to come back, I now know how to resist it with gratitude – one of the healthiest habits.
1 Thing Depressed People have in Common
Science is just catching up with God’s word. A psychologist once studied people who suffered from depression and other neurotic disorders.
He discovered that they all had one thing in common.
Can you guess what it was?
They were all fault finders.
They focused on the worst within themselves, in other people, or in their life situations.
However, praise and thankfulness is God’s will for His people (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I believe that many of us who suffer from emotional eating have that depressive “spirit of heaviness” on us.
But Isaiah 61:3 says that God gives us “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
Think about it: You have to choose to put on clothes every day, don’t you? They don’t just magically appear on your body!
Gratitude: A Healthiest Habit
So each day, set your heart on praise and thanksgiving, which is one of the healthiest habits. Try it every day for 30 days and see if it doesn’t help you on your health journey!
I am sure that you will agree it is the healthiest thing you can do every day.
Please comment if you decide to accept this 30-day challenge. I also recommend that you bookmark this page, plus set an appointment on your phone for 30 days from now.
After those 30 days are complete, please come back and testify in the comments about how it has changed your mental outlook.
Updated 1/29/2022
Be Blessed with Health, Healing, and Wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
P.S. Do you struggle with overeating sugar? If so, you are not alone!
Overcoming sugar addiction was a key factor on my weight loss journey; I lost 85 pounds and dropped from a size 22 to an 8.
In our 14-day Sugar Detox Challenge online course (inside the Take Back Your Temple program), you’ll get the same success strategies and support to gain peace in your eating habits and achieve lasting weight loss.
Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple program.
“Prayer for Weight Loss”
I’m going to do this starting tomorrow. Thank you for this information.
You are welcome, Emma – I am sure the practice will bless you!
Yes, yes, this works for every area of one’s life!!! Thankyou Kim for putting it in words so easily understood. The real understanding of it is in the practice and the experience it brings each who does put this wisdom into practice. Thank you God for creating us with this power to discover snd employ in our lives . Amen.
Amen, Jennah – it is life-changing wisdom to practice and I praise God for it!
I am going to start this today
17/4/23 i believe this will help me with my depression
Wonderful, Anne – I know that consistent practice with this will help to lift the depression that tries to keep you down.
I am accepting the challenge and can’t wait to see what God has in store for me
Amen, Cheri – I agree with you!
It’s on my calendar. Starting 08 May 2022. I’m thankful for this idea .
Praising God with you, Michele!
I am going to do this at the same time I am doing the Overcoming Stress Eating Challenge…I think this will help me to renew my mind with praise and help with the stress!
Awesome Teresa – sounds like a wise plan!
I accept
🙂 Great, LaTonya!
I’m going to try to do this everyday. Blessings.
Wonderful, Lynda! I suggest you set up reminders on your phone to help because it is very easy to forget in the “busy-ness” of daily life. God bless you, Sister!
I accept the 30 day challenge. 2/21/22
Wonderful, Kathie – you will reap the benefits!
I accept the 30 day challenge 2/15/2022!
Way to go, Eugenia!
I accept this challenge 2/11/22
Excellent, Denise – love to hear how it went after the 30 days. One day at a time, with God’s help!
I am going to do the 30 day challenge !
Praying for your success, Deanna!
I will do this challenge
Excellent, Nancy!
I would love to be a part of your program. Can you please send me the information?
Hi Bonnie – Here is the link to information about our Take Back Your Temple program: https://takebackyourtemple.com/program/
Thank you!
You are welcome, Bonnie – God is good!
Thank you for sharing!! I am going to do the 30 day challenge!!!
Wonderful, Janet – I am sure you will get great benefit from it 🙂
Thank you, Kimberly, for all your writing and for this challenge in particular!! I am excited!!
Fantastic, Trixie – setting a reminder is a big help to stay on track. God bless you!
This is so great. I actually did a list of things I’m grateful for this morning, before I ever read this. I think I will definitely take the 30 day challenge.
I love it when the Lord confirm His word, Lori – thank you for sharing!
I accept and am excited to begin a lifestyle change.
Great Mary – that is a WISE decision!
I accept this challenge. I am always working on being more positive and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to last. Hopefully after 30 days I will be different.
Hi Sherice – Wonderful! Remember: The gospel is GOOD news. Thanksgiving is also a form of prayer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Thanks Kim, great word. I find it so easy to slip into negativity. I will a accept the challenge.
Excellent, Kathy!
Yes! I accept this 30 day challenge to be positive and look at all my blessings. I would ask that you pray for me. I have been hired to teach in a far off isolated northern community until June. I am excited but travelling during COVID and then the challenges of being in isolation are daunting. Then there is a child in the class who is autistic and violent with others. Please pray that I will be filled with optimism and joy in the Lord and that I will help these little children to learn.
Lorraine, I pray that the Lord strengthen, help, and uphold you as you minister to these children and that the Lord bring peace to all children in your classroom according to His word in Isaiah 54:13
– “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.”
Be encouraged you will receive a Heavenly reward according to Matthew 10:42 – “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Kim, I will do this!! I have noticed that we as believers are often are ashamed to take our emotional issues to the Father bc we should be equipped enough not to have them at all!
Being in His Word and coming to Him has been the miracle I needed.
Exactly, Shelly – the Lord knows us intimately inside and out. We have a compassionate High Priest in Jesus and in Him, we will find the comfort we seek. I pray that everyone who takes this challenge be closer to Him 30 days from now than they are right now 🙂
I’m going to do this. After working at a homeless shelter this week, when temperatures are un the 20’s, this should be easy for me.
Indeed, Patsy – I praise God for you allowing Him to use your gifts to minister to others!
I am going to take this challenge. I am going to write 7 things everyday to Praise the Lord for the next 30 days.
Great Kathy! Be sure to make it as easy and convenient to do as possible because forgetfulness is an enemy. God bless you!
Kimberly,
I have questions for you but would rather they would not be posted. Is there a way I can do that? I am struggling with my weight loss and I don’t understand why so I thought maybe I could text you personally and you might have some insight for me.
Thank you and God bless,
Vickie
Hi Vickie – Happy to help! As a TBYT member, you are always free to send me an email or a private message on our Member site. God bless you on this wellness journey. It is worth it!
Yes I agree to this challenge!
Excellent, Sophia – be sure to set any reminders you can think of because it can be easy to forget!
I going to do this for February. Thank you so much for sharing this !!
Wonderful, Diana – I know you will experience the benefits in it 🙂
I would like to join the challenge. So for thirty days, I will write 7 things I am thankful for daily. Thank you.
Wonderful, Gladys – it will transform you!
I completed the thirty days yesterday and it was so helpful. Thanking the Lord aloud comes much easier now. I find I am thankful for many things, great and small. I feel much lighter, too! Thank you for this assignment!
Thank you SO much for sharing your testimony, Gladys! God is good 🙂
I ran across this article today and it was a blessing! I accept the challenge and look forward to reporting back on 05/15/20.
Thank you!
Looking forward to hearing your testimony, Vanessa!
I’m going to do it
Awesome Michon! I recommend setting a reminder on your phone of calendar about it to help yourself remember. God bless you!
Thank you for the inspiration! #truth
You are welcome, Nikki – all blessings to you!
The analogy of putting on the garment of praise daily just like we have to put on our clothes is revelation to me! I accept this 30 day challenge!
Great, Marie – remind yourself each day, taking one day at a time. You will be amazed at the change within 30 days.
I’ll take the challenge!
Praise God, Dotty! Love to hear how it goes 🙂
I accept this challenge to no longer continuously find fault in everything and everyone. I will dedicate myself to showing gratitude daily. I release the Spirit of Depression & Heaviness and clothe myself in the Garment of PRAISE! I Delcare and Decree that I will complete this 30 day journey through Christ that gives me strength in Jesus Name.
10/27/18
Fantastic Jamie – I recommend setting a reminder on your phone to check in at the end of the day as well. It’s so easy to forget things in the busy-ness of life. The reminder should help you stay on track. God bless you on this journey!
I was praying this morning for God’s help and guidance. To help me with this heavy load I feel like I am bearing. To re commit to eating healthy and feel better.
Then today I ran across this! I am going to do this challenge! Thank you Kim
Thru my Dad’s Alzheimers the past 3 yrs and now his passing 2 months ago,I feel like I have such a heavy load
some days,no pun intended but being so greatly over weight
is a heavy load in itself, making everything so hard to do to work around this fat.
Giving praise will be uplifting,to praise him in the storm ,
hopefully lifting the weight in every way.
I’m going to do this
I am accepting the challenge for 30 days to change my mood and attitude. Thank you
Good Morning Kim,
Today, 8/13/18 I have decide to take the 30 day challenge of “Setting My Heart” to Thanksgiving & Praise.
I Trust that GOD will give me diligence to live this out daily
I accept this challenge!
Challenge accepted!
I accept the 30 day challenge!
I accept the 30 day challenge.
I am gone to do this … I think this will help me stay near to the Lord….By counting my BLessings instead of trying to fix my troubles… Start to be Grateful for all he has done …and given to me TO really be thankful… Praise him all along the way.. Thanksgiving is a key… I do need to write it out … as well as to be content…. GOD BLESS YOU KIMBERLY For your Godly wisdom and challenge us….this will keep my mind on things above as well than on all my troubles…. Love it Darlene
I gladly accept!
I accept this challenge. Thank you Miss Kimberly
Great, Gloria – love to hear how it goes!
Hi I’m Kevin new to the group I’m loving the testimonies that I am hearing thus far I’m looking forward to a better life by taking my health back in Jesus name
I will accept this challenge. Never realized that fault finding was the basis of this problem. My dad was Bi polar and very mentally abusive. He was constantly critical of me and my siblings. His comments still live in me today and I really don’t realize just how much. This journal exercise will be very interesting. I believe I can commit to doing this for 30 days! Kimberly, thanks so much for sharing what God has shown you. This is a great step in the right direction and one I think I can handle. God bless
I am so glad that you are accepting this challenge, Yvonne! May the Lord bless you on this journey to wellness in Him 🙂
It’s Day 1 and right away my spirit responds with Psalm 118:24 – ‘This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Followed by ‘Count your many blessings see what God has done!’ Promising or what!
I’m up for it Kimberly and thank you for your sensitivity and wise counsel.
Fantastic Tom – I am looking forward to hearing about your results!
I’M IN!!!!!! I AM SO DOING THIS!!! 🙂
I accept !!! And excited. I’ve been operating on pilot mode for the last 6years -the depression has exhausted me and every facet of my life. I know I suffer from wrong thinking , but for the first time in years I actually feel like there is genuine hope for me, and the abundant life could, well does include me too. I lost my way, but I know what’s it’s like to have fullness/joy of the Lord…… I’ve been there. I desperately want to be in communion with God and i’ve made him an obligation instead of a relationship-and that has me flying solo on most days if truth be told!
#ChallengeAccepted 😀
Kim,
Thank you for sharing your testimony. God’s agenda is always timely and filled with action plans that exceed our needs. I was feeling overwhelmed and as I began to read your blog, I felt peace.
I found the perfect journal tucked away in my nightstand that was given to me years ago. A hidden treasure.
The title: “He’s more than enough!”
And yes He is…… more than enough for me!
I accept the 30-day challenge.
Blessings to all!
I love this! I have the perfect journal for this! I accept!
I would accept, but I already have a gratitude journal I started in September of 2013 and I write in it every night before bed to thank God for the day’s blessings + all the blessings I experience every day (roof over head, bed to sleep in with linens and pillows to sleep on, clothes to wear, toiletries, the meds I have because I currently need them for my asthma, allergies, to help me sleep, multivitamins; For working hot water, working showers and sinks and for working plumbing and toilets, for working electricity, power, and lights, and so on, all my Bibles, Study Bibles, and Bible Study tools including journals and notebooks and working pens so I can hand-write some of the stuff I need to write down, especially at church since I take notes during service… It is a long list – my every day things and include having all my body parts, organs, and limbs and what I am able to do with them (abilities and stuff). It also includes people I am thankful for. Anyhow… some nights are alright but many nights I still do not feel better, even after praying in my thoughts and prayer journal prior to writing in my gratitude journal, which I intentionally do last with the hopes that remembering how much I have because of God will take my focus off of what I do not have, what I am unable to do, and all that other negative junk that is standing in the way of a deep relationship between me and Jesus. If anybody has been where I am and/or in some way has any words of godly wisdom to share with me, please do share, and thank you for reading and possibly for responding.
Hi Alexis – I would look more closely at this issue in your life: “… all that other negative junk that is standing in the way of a deep relationship between me and Jesus.”
NOTHING should be standing in the way: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).”
Ask the Lord in prayer to reveal the truth this separation issue you feel because that is a heart issue that needs healing.
Check out these resources because they may help:
Knowing God personally
Who I AM in Christ
Spiritual Caller ID
Hello Alexis,
I will be praying for you in regards to your wilderness experience. I commend your journaling and thankfullness to God, but sometimes things become habitual and can easily loose its meaning. I am not saying to quit journaling but maybe an option is to sit quietly meditating and “listening” for God’s direction. Our journaling and prayer is the opportunity to bring our petitions and praises to God, we in turn have to pause and listen to what He has to say. God is a Sovereign God and is interested in all things concerning us.
You are the apple of His eye. He did not withhold His only son as a pardon for our sins, He will not withhold his blessings from you.
I will be praying that as you proceed through this journey that God will remove the distractions that impede your desire for a closer walk with Him.
He desires that too. Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
God not only knows where He is taking you, but He also knows how to get you there!
God bless you!
You nailed me to a T. I know I am a fault finder and I fight against it every day. I have high hopes that finding these 7 things I’m thankful for will break that cycle. Thanks so much.
I accept this challenge.
I read the post two days ago, and God has lifted my spirit just thinking about it. Praise to Him for leading me to read the post and move me to say “Yes!” I start with pen in hand today 🙂
I’m ready to start this 30 day challenge! ! I’ve been stuck in a rut for a while now and it’s time to get back into the game called life. In spite of my weight issues, and the aftermath of the recent flood we are going through in Baton Rouge, I STILL have a lot to be grateful for. I’m alive, my family are all well, we have an apartment to live in while we repair our beautiful home, and I have God to thank for all of this. Thank you, Kim! This challenge is right on time! God bless you!
I accept
I commit to the challenge and can’t wait to give you my praise report!
I commit to the 30 day praise challenge!
Your articles are such a blessing to me. They seem to minister to me at the precise time when I need to change. I been battling this weight issue for a long time now. It constantly takes me to a negative place in my mind. Kimberly, God knows I’m tired and fed up with my current weight problems. I ordered your program and I still haven’t started to do anything. It’s sad and depressing. To be honest, I ordered several weight loss programs and tried lots of diets too and still no change. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I want to lose weight permanently but I’m not doing what I need to do to make that goal a reality. I am going to make today different by accepting this 30 day challenge. I can’t wait to share my testimony with you.
Peace & Blessings
Hi Martha – it’s smart to start where you are! I would love to hear how it goes with the praise challenge and any other insights the Lord shows you about the resistance to losing weight. Ask Him in prayer and He will show you the truth!
Yes, I’m taking the challenge!
I’ve been going through a lot. I accept.
I have been reading your emails for the past few days…I’ve been kind of sitting on the fence. I have been waiting for the right moment to commit. God is never late nor is He too early. I’m in!!! Thank you Kimbery! And thank you ladies for your comments…it’s nice to know that I am not alone in this journey
I accept
Thanks Kimberly for this challenge. I will definitely take it up staring tomorrow 1st October.
I shall commit to this 30 day challenge and see what great things the LORD will do! 🙂
Kimberly dear
I just turn 62 and I accept the challenge of the 30 day Journal of challenge…Praising God and writing down all the good gifts He has for me each day. And how I can use them with a smile and song in my heart.
I accept this challenge. I’m going to start on Saturday, October 1!!
It’s so insidious, negativity, isn’t it? A friend, the other day, told me I was a “glass half empty” sort of person. I said, “I know……. I didn’t used to be…”
I guess since divorce and some other losses, I haven’t ever bounced back.
It’s time.
I accept the 30 day challenge.
Thank you!
I accept!
Things have been rough all year and I am not seeing a breakthrough with my health/weight…definitely having been affected by some ongoing family issues…and some sabotaging by myself and a loved one.
There have been lights and graces and answered prayers in other areas (PTL), but in truth, I have had a sullen spirit and have been discouraged, melancholic, and feeling some anger, bitterness, and sadness.
I have resumed my prayer time and increasing my spiritual reading, as well as trusting God as I try do the best I can in diet and exercise each day.
Concrete acts of praise daily will surely make a difference, as I will be more aware to look for/focus on my blessings rather than my needs.
Thank you Kimberly; TBYT is a blessing!
Re-reading this article, I realized I never completed the challenge (Mea Culpa lol)
So, I am dusting off my journals forgotten over the Winter, and embracing the challenge once again (just in time for my TBYT reboot this past week).
Again….thank you Kim! ~<3
May God bless you and your ministry…as you have blessed all of us +
Gail
I am glad you are re-starting this challenge, Gail. It is so easy to get distracted in the “busy-ness” of life. And yet, focusing on praise gives you focus on what’s really important in life, plus gives you strength to get through each day with God’s grace. I’d love to hear from you about the outcome once you complete this!
Hi Ms. Kimberly
I accept the challenge. I will be doing a corporate fast starting on October 1st, so I will include this challenge with my fast. Thank you so much for being a wonderful light for us.
That is a great fit, Sandrina. I’d love to hear how it goes!
I’m going through a tough time with my husband and it hurts so bad I think it’s because I’m so angry please help me pray
I will pray with you Rose. Also consider the challenge. I do believe it will help you get through this tough time.
What a mighty God we serve.
I accept the 30 days challenge !
I was in Prayer a few days ago and I said to God; I keep having pity for myself and finding faults in everyone and everything. I have been Praying for my Peace and my Joy. I know that it is in Jesus Christ.
Thank you Kimberly!
Amen, Mary Frances. Do this every day for 30 days consistently and you WILL see change. An uplifting, enjoyable change!
Wow. This is exactly what I needed to hear!
Thank you!
I commit to this!
God is an on-time God. I look forward to hearing about your results 30 days from now.
Hi Kimberly. I’m in!
Fantastic, Keren!
I AM GOING TO COMMIT TO THIS 30 DAY CHALLENGE.
Wonderful, Sunflower!
I will commit to this. I will have my children do it as well during our bible time during school, great idea, thank you!
That is awesome, Sarah – get them in the habit of doing this early in life and it is sure to help set them in a positive direction.
Challenge accepted!
Great, Sara!
I am in! I recently started going to a counselor and my assignment for this week was to write down positive things about myself and my current situation. Confirmation is here through you! I know I am a fault finder by default and this has to be the way out. I have to rewire how I have taught myself to think! Lord bless my mind and my perspective!
Wow, Jelissa – thanks for that confirmation that this is the right word at the right time. This article may help you also to rewire your brain and take your thoughts captive: Do you Have Spiritual Caller ID?
I am going to commit to this 30 day challenge!
Wonderful, Maureen!
I commit to doing the 30 days of praise journal challenge
You can do, Rhonda!
I accept!!!
Way to go, Michelle!
I accept the challenge Michelle
I accept the challenge and I excited to see what God is going to do!!
Me too, Wendy – can’t wait to read your testimony!
I will do it!!!!!
Go for it, Yvonne!
Will do it