The holidays are generally recognized as the season of gratitude but praise and thanksgiving should be an everyday occurrence and applied to all areas of our lives.
Every day you have a choice to be grateful. Not only should you be grateful for those around you, but you should also extend the same grace God gives you to others. Read more about 30 Things To Be Grateful For Today.
Benefits of Choosing Gratitude
Webster’s definition says gratitude is ”the state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.”
Although one-time efforts to show gratitude, like Thanksgiving, produce immediate boosts in happiness and drops in depression, if not repeated the positive effects disappear over time. In fact, a growing body of research supports that daily doses of gratitude deliver marked ongoing benefits, ranging from improved mental and physical health to enhanced relationships, self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.
In reality, we often don’t realize those benefits because gratitude is pushed to the side when the struggles and demands of life claim victory over our hearts. Amidst all of that, we forget to pause and thank God for all that he has done for us, and continues to do.
Bible Verses About Choosing Gratitude
A grateful heart puts aside grievances and thanks God for His mercy and grace towards yourself and others.
“I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:4.
A grateful heart makes us depend on God and realize that He is with us and in control of all circumstances.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
A grateful heart cannot grumble because you cannot serve both negativity and gratitude at the same time.
“And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called into one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.” Colossians 3:15.
A grateful heart helps us realize how much we have to be grateful for and allows us to be satisfied with what God has given us.
“Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything, Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now, therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:12-13.
How To Choose Gratitude Everyday
Adopting an attitude of gratitude will turn your eyes to the things God has already given you and allow you to recognize that He is present in all situations. As you focus on the blessings God has already given you, your heart will turn away from complaining and be filled with thankfulness. Praise God for He is good and faithful!
Start Your Day With Gratitude
Before you pick up your phone or hit the ground running, lay in bed and think of three- to-five things you are grateful for. You can do this through a meditation practice. Draw your attention to something positive that happened to you in the last few days and inhale gratitude and exhale the positive energy that gratitude will radiate throughout your day.
When you start your day with gratitude, you will be filled with so much more happiness and joy.
Focus on What You Have
While embracing your morning practice, set your focus on what you have and the good things in your life.
I am not good at showing appreciation because I get caught up in focusing on what hasn’t been done for me instead of what has. For example, you have dishes piling up in the sink and your husband must have seen them, so you grumble to yourself “why didn’t he clean out the dishwasher and put away the ones in the sink?” Does anyone have a similar experience?
Turn that attitude of negativity into gratitude for him walking the dog in the morning, playing with the kids even when he’s exhausted from a stressful day, rushing out the door for a meeting for a job that pays the bills or whatever else he might do for the family. Instead of getting mad at him, tell him how much you love and appreciate all his hard work both at his job and at home.
Start a Gratitude Journal
A great way to choose gratitude everyday is starting your day off with writing down what you are grateful for in a gratitude journal. Or you can take it one step further and use this Gratitude Coloring Journal. It is a 13-Page coloring book to reflect on all the things you are grateful for!
You can also use the gratitude journal at the end of the day to reflect on all the ways God showed up for you. This will help you pause and praise God for his faithfulness.
Share Gratitude With Others
Take time throughout your day to share gratitude with others. Show appreciation for the acts of kindness and service others provide for you. If anything, being grateful for someone, can not only make their day a little brighter but also relieve stress and make you an overall joyful person.
Prayer for Choosing Gratitude Everyday
Sometimes we need to ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for us when we are feeling down and need to change our perspective.
“Lord, teach me to see the beauty all around me. Help me to offer praise and choose gratitude throughout the day. Encourage me to pray continually and offer thanksgiving in all things. Thank you for the blessings and abundance you have given me. May I walk confidently in faith knowing that you will always provide and sustain me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
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