The Practice of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is over and we are in the throes of Christmas! The tree is up, the lights are twinkling, and the online shopping packages are arriving. Our days are filling up with events and gatherings and we are already a little bit overwhelmed.

Want to halt the overwhelm before it takes control? You can. It’s simpler than you think. It begins with choosing to make thanksgiving an integral part of your life.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great work you do! And how deep are your thoughts.” Psalm 92:1-5

 

Are you falling short on your thanksgiving today? Have you ever intentionally practiced gratitude? Or are you giving into the overwhelm as you mumble and complain?

Here are 10 reasons you should start practicing gratitude today. Ready? These are legit. Harvard Medical School conducted research on those who focused on being grateful and those who focused on their irritations. They were astounded by the difference in just 10 weeks. Other researchers have also published the effects of practicing gratitude. Here are some ways practicing gratitude improves your life…

  1. Improves overall health by reducing stress

  2. Improves sleep

  3. Boost self esteem

  4. Enhances resilence

  5. Increases mental strength

  6. Strengthens relationships

  7. Releases toxic emotions

  8. Lifts mood

  9. Increases optimism

  10. Increases healthy habits

And… on top of all those – practicing gratitude honors our Heavenly Father, reflects Jesus to others, and is evidence of the Holy Spirit activated in our life. As we practice gratitude, we discover that we are becoming more positive, more gracious, more loving, and more humble. How could we not? Shifting our focus from what is wrong in our life to all that we have to be grateful for changes are attitude, our feelings, and ultimately our actions. When we are grateful, God will bring opportunities for us to testify of the One who is the source of our gratitude.

So, how do we practice gratitude everyday? Here are 5 things you can begin today that will truly make a difference in your life.

  1. Start a gratitude journal. Every night jot down several things about your day or about your life. They can be big (I am thankful for God’s amazing grace.) or small (I am grateful for dinner with friends, laughter, and sweet fellowship.)

  2. Keep it personal. Intentionally thank people in your life who make a difference. Nothing says “thank you” like a hand-written note. We can never say thank you enough to our parents, friends, leaders, mentors, and especially to God. Make it a monthly practice to thank someone by telling them why you are thankful for them.

  3. Say thank you. Be intentional to say thank you all throughout the day to everyone you can. If someone let’s you go first, or serves you a meal, or opens the door, etc. make it a point to thank them.

  4. Take a gratitude walk. Take a break from everything going on around you and take a walk. Talk to God and thank Him for what you see, what you have, and what He is doing in your life.  

  5. Spend time in God’s word and in prayer. Communing with God and recognizing that every good thing is from above. (James 1:17)

 

I am praying for you today. My prayer is that no matter what is happening in your life, no matter who has hurt you, no matter what you may be facing – God brings to mind everything and everyone that you have to be grateful for in your life right now. We can start by keeping Jesus at the top of the list.

I am thankful for you!

Love-

Pam

p.s. for more discussion around gratitude, check out Episode 157 of the Engage for More Podcast. Listen as Pam and her friends talk about Gratitude - Are we Thankful?

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