5 Ways to Practice Gratitude – Intentionally

If you’re looking for 5 ways to practice gratitude, you’re “home.” Sit a spell and let’s dig in.

Discouragement vs. Gratitude

It came on the heels of a season battling a downcast spirit. To fight against the “dis”es (discouragement, disillusionment, and disappointment), I intentionally scribbled 3 points of gratitude each day.

Honestly, I didn’t know what else to do.

But it worked. God used those simple scribbles and the thoughts behind them to shift my focus and lift my spirit. After pushing myself to offer intentional gratitude, the offering because easier, normal, even.

God was “in” the gratitude.

In fact, during an outing to view the fall leaves a few years ago, something wild happened. As I stared out the passenger window, an overwhelming need to offer thanks overcame me. The Holy Spirit rapid-fired His counsel as I gazed at trees, signs, and nearly anything along the roadside. It was as though life became a sudden, vivid array of colors.

And I couldn’t get enough of it.

I found myself giddy with gratitude toward God, and filled with awe, scriptures, and connections I’d never considered.

The rapid-fire lasted for a portion of the ride, and then it was gone. I’ve never experienced it since.

But the impact remains.

God calls us to a life of thanksgiving for a reason. It’s good for us spiritually, and as different reports attest, it’s good for the body, too. Even more so, it puts the focus on God.

But darkness will fight against it.

Why Can’t I Practice Gratitude?

At first, the negativity were small pin-pricks throughout the day. But then, they clustered together, punching out bigger holes in my thought life. The weight pressed harder with time, and I knew something had to change, or I wouldn’t be okay.

So I turned to God and intentional gratitude. I pushed, forced–whatever you want to call it–myself to wrestle with my thoughts until I found 3 things to be grateful for.

Daily.

Because I was battling darkness, and God calls us to a life of thanksgiving. (You’ll find that Bible verse listed below.)

Practicing gratitude was hard–at first. (Remember, it’s a battle.) But it got easier with time, becoming almost involuntary eventually. An intentional focus above and on the things He’s given–through gratefulness–was key in helping me win the battle.

What Is Gratitude?

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (online) indicates that gratitude is an attitude or appreciation to a benefactor for benefits received. It links grace as well. Grace is unmerited favor–the undeserved gift of salvation from Jesus Christ.

Webster added thankfulness to the definition, too. The Bible is filled with verses on thanksgiving, and those will be listed a little later in this post. Some in modern day, like in this Guideposts piece, separate gratitude and thankfulness. The earlier being an overall appreciation for life, while thanksgiving, they determine, focuses on a specific instance.

It’s like gratitude is the overal arc of life and thanks arises for those individual situations.

Personally, I lump ’em together.

Ways to Practice Gratitude Daily

Practicing gratitude daily can take several forms.

• Some speak their gratitude to God.
• Others speak their thanks to people.
• Some spend quiet time thinking about the people, situations, and things they’re thankful for, offering silent thanks to God for these and His gift of life.
• Others grab a pen and journal and write out their gratitude lists, using what they see, notice, or find in a gratitude journal prompt.

Why You Need a Gratitude Journal

While battling the negative nellies, I grabbed a pad of paper and pen. Each day, I forced myself to list three things for which I was grateful

It wasn’t easy at first.

With time, however, it became quite natural and changed my outlook. There’s science to this. Go figure. I suspect our Creator knew it all along. 🙂

The Bible offers numerous verses about the importance of gratitude, thankfulness, and thanksgiving. (See verses below.) This podcast, somewhere in the last ten-ish minutes, shares physical benefits noted by science. Gratitude, according to medical experts (which I am not), impacts the brain, heart, and other parts of our bodies.

So, it’s a good thing gratitude rose like cream to the surface.

However, I got a little tired of listing out “Gratitude” and “1”, “2”, & “3” in my notebook each day, so I created my own journal–a Christian printable available in my Etsy shop.

(By the way, it includes a LONG list of gratitude prompts, which is kind of fun, and two approaches for noting gratitude.)

But then I decided I didn’t want to journey alone, so I invited others to join me for a gratitude group called A Grateful Year.

Bible Verses about Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Here are three scriptures centered on gratitude, thankfulness, and thanksgiving. Two focus on our attitude toward God. The other hones in on it being a way of life, noting this is God’s will for us.

(So, in case you’ve ever wondered what God’s will is, it’s listed below in one of these verses.)

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 NIV

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

1 Thessalonians. 5:18 NIV

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

Psalm 100:4 NIV

5 Ways to Practice Gratitude

1. Write it down.
   Whether it’s in a regular notebook or a printable journal like the two in my shop, be intentional about finding gratitude each day.
   
2. Say it aloud.
   Take a walk. Look at the sky, and offer God thanks.
   
3. Share your gratitude with a friend or group of friends.
   Join our online group, A Grateful Year. We’d love to celebrate your gratitude, too. ( Join HERE )
   
4. Focus on the senses–touch, taste, hearing, seeing, and smell.
   Find something to be thankful for concerning each of these daily.
   
5. Bible Thanks
   After daily Bible reading, pick out three things in that reading for which to thank God.

Don’t Miss These Posts About Offering Thanks

• 3 Ways to Keep the Spirit of Thanksgiving Alive All Year
• How Does Your Thanksgiving Flow?
• How to Give Thanks When You Don’t Feel Like It

Pin about Gratitude for Later

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.