I recently started practicing thankfulness on purpose. It isn’t that I wasn’t thankful before. In fact, I often found myself thanking the Lord in amazement at His goodness, especially during times of worship & prayer, while tucking my kids in at night, or other moments of awareness of specific blessings in my life. However, I wasn’t purposely cultivating it. It was more of a background noise. Something I took for granted as being true, not something that I gave much attention to making sure was proved through my behavior or consistent heart attitude.
What I’ve discovered is that practicing thankfulness—cultivating gratitude—is quite different. So is its impact. For me, growing a grateful heart has also grown my patience, love, and joy. Quite simply, I am happier and my actions display it.
This shouldn’t surprise me. After all, studies have shown that thankfulness makes a positive impact on your mental & physical health. Things like lower blood pressure, happier relationships, and reduced depression are just a few of the positive impacts of gratefulness.*
This shouldn’t surprise me because people like Oprah have been declaring the benefits of thankfulness for years. Even more, it shouldn’t surprise me because the Lord has been recommending it even long before that. In fact, He doesn’t simply recommend it. He commands it.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us ‘in everything give thanks”. In greater context, it says (starting in verse 15) “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
To sum up: seek good for all people (always!), Rejoice (be glad!) always, pray always, give thanks always. The key word being always.
Most of us do these things sometimes, even without trying. But, always? That requires some intentional effort. Which means it isn’t always easy.
One practical way that I have been practicing thankfulness seems easy enough—and it is on the surface. What I do is this: I list three things that I am thankful for at the start of my devotional times. That’s it. A simple list. I write them out in my “quiet time” journal. Not so hard, right?
And, some days it isn’t hard at all. My heart is already there & the words just pour out in all sincerity. But, other days? Ehhh. Maybe I’m tired. Or frustrated. Or grieving. Maybe I’m crabby. Or, maybe I’m simply not fully engaged. Even then it is easy enough to list out general reasons for thankfulness. But, if I do that, I’m just skimming the surface. And frankly, I don’t think it counts. I certainly don’t feel happier or calmer or better off. And, I also don’t actually feel thankful.
But, when I dig deep? Especially if I don’t feel like it? It’s amazing the impact it has—on my attitude, my day, my heart. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that my life is changed because of it. One example (of which there are many): One day I was irritated by one of my kids & I chose to be thankful for them. Not just “God, I’m thankful for so & so” in a general way. But, a “I’m going to sit in this until I can actually be thankful & feel it sincerely” kind of way. It wasn’t long before my irritation melted away and genuine care replaced it. I remembered what a gift it was to be their mom & how precious my time with them is. It changed my attitude, and my behavior followed. I was fully present & thankful for the time. I was much more patient and engaged than I would have been otherwise.
This is just one example. I won’t say that practicing thankfulness has solved all of my problems or made up for all of my shortcomings. But, there is no doubt in my mind that it has not only made me happier, but its also made me a better person. Just as the Lord surely knew it would when He asked it of me. It will do the same for you, too. Try it! You’ll see.
My challenge to you: Choose to purposely cultivate thankfulness in your life, too. Find a time / practical way to add this to your daily routine so you won’t forget and will be consistent. (Consistency is key!)
The most important thing, though is: Be sincere. I mentioned that I list off three things, but one thing—one sincere thing—is really all you need.
“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.”
—Douglas Wood
*Other benefits include: Better sleep, improved decision-making, enhanced positive emotions & self-esteem, more energy, less cortisol (the “stress hormone”) & increased oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), slower neurodegeneration, etc.
Sources;”Joynomics: The Study of Joy & Progress”; “Giving thanks can make you happier” Harvard Health; “31 Benefits of Gratitude” Happier Human; “28 Benefits of Gratitude & Most Significant Research Findings” Positive Psychology