Want to know something incredible? Research has shown that maintaining an attitude of gratitude improves our mood and overall health. It’s amazing when science backs up the Bible! God’s Word is full of ways we can express praise and thanksgiving. But beyond the health benefits, true gratitude is an authentic way we can show love and worship for our heavenly Father. While we may be familiar with the practice of gratitude, let’s be honest – It’s not always easy to maintain a positive outlook in the hustle of life.

At Faith Church, we’re excited to share three ways to seamlessly incorporate gratitude into our week. Adding even just one of these tips to our daily routine will not only brighten our day, but transform our spiritual lives.

For being so simple, gratitude is a powerful gift that brings us closer to God. When we reflect on 1 Timothy 4:4, we can understand that everything created by God is inherently good, and when we embrace His truth, even the smallest things are worthy of our notice and our appreciation.

While it’s easy to wake up, check the phone, and get going with the rest of the day, reflecting on the good things in our lives can set the tone for the entire day.
Try to identify at least one new thing to thank God for every morning. The more specific we are, the more enriching this experience becomes. Some practical ways can include writing in a gratitude journal, praising God out loud, or even praying the words straight from Scripture. A good place to start is the book of Psalms.

Creating a gratitude jar is another unique way to practice thankfulness. Begin or end the day by writing what you’re grateful for on a piece of paper and placing it in the jar. At the end of the year, or just when we need a little encouragement, we can empty the jar and reflect on God’s provision.

It’s important to recognize that a sense of gratitude also extends beyond the tangible aspects of our lives. We can thank God for not only the blessings, but also for who He is and what He is doing in the world around us. Remember, no matter what’s going on in our lives, there is always a reason to praise God.

Expressing gratitude has a multiplier effect. It really is something amazing because it extends beyond ourselves. In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul shared, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful… 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.”

In a world with so much division, thankfulness brings us closer together. Showing our gratitude to those around us not only brings joy to others, but warms our own hearts as well.

Think about this: have you ever had the experience of stepping out to show a special act of kindness or extra support, only to find that it went unnoticed and unacknowledged? No one likes that feeling. So, maybe starting today, try telling just one person each day why you are thankful for them. This could be as simple as texting a friend or family member, stopping a coworker in the hall, or writing a note to our spouse. Sometimes, those closest to us are the ones who need our gratitude the most.

Just like when practicing personal gratitude, it’s important to share specifics when thanking the people in our life. Using phrases like “It was really nice of you to…” or “I felt loved when you…” can mean a lot more to someone than a generic “thank you.” By sharing the details of our thankfulness, we’re conveying the depth of our gratitude in a way that resonates more.

No matter how thankful we are, those tough times are inevitable. James 1:2-3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

We can give ourselves the grace to know it’s okay when we don’t feel grateful in the moment for a hardship we’re facing. What we can do is find the lesson in it. Take a look at how those past experiences shaped us into who we are today. God can use every struggle to increase our dependence on Him. Our circumstances can also nudge us outside of our comfort zone and bring us closer to God. This kind of perspective helps us endure even the toughest trials.

Cultivating gratitude, especially during difficult times, can be a challenge. Our hope and prayer is that these three practices gradually become part of our daily routine so that an attitude of gratitude becomes second nature.

Genuine gratitude brings us to the feet of Jesus, humbly praising Him for who He is and what He has done. With this focus in mind, gratitude really does improve the quality of our lives.