In times of uncertainty, it can be hard to have an attitude of gratitude. You can still focus on the good and not the bad when these hard times set in. In the beginning of November 2018, my husband and I started to look more within to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Which has stuck with me beyond trying times and kept me for many years. I wanted to share with you some quick tips on how to cultivate an attitude of gratitude this year and for seasons to come.
5 Ways to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
- Start a gratitude/prayer journal. First things first, I made sure I went out and bought a new journal. I started logging prayers, and all the amazing things that happened over the year. I like to write down all that I’m grateful for and my personal prayers. Now that the months have gone by, I sometimes go back and reread my entries. The amount of gratefulness that consumes my heart is insane. *Tip: Start a gratitude journal every year, so each journal is set to its own year.
- Take a Break from Social Media. Throughout the year, I would occasionally delete all the social apps off of my phone to focus more on what’s in front of me. Yes, we all know that social media is the primary reason for depression and anxiety. Moreover, its important to step aside and simply rest. In the beginning, it is hard but it’s all worth it. You’ll feel a lot lighter and more open to an attitude of gratitude.
- Pray. In some ways, more than others, we tend to complain about all the wrong things instead of praying about all the right things. When we begin to pray, we are asking God to fill our hearts with gratefulness. There are so many treasures and blessings to be thankful for. I found this amazing attitude of gratitude scripture:
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving”
― Colossians 4:2
- Read Attitude of gratitude bible verses. I love to read these bible verses throughout the year, they keep me grounded and focus. You normally see these attitude of gratitude bible verses around Thanksgiving, but these can be used in every season of life. Because just like the quote above, everything is worth being grateful for. Here are some examples of thankfulness bible verses: Colossians 2:7-9 , Ephesians 3:17-19, Matthew 6:25-35
- Tell Others. Gratefulness starts on the inside and will be shown on the outside. No better way than to tell your family, and friends what you are grateful for and show them a little appreciation. We often overlook the small tasks that people do for us like your spouse cleaning the kitchen or running an errand for you. Do not push aside these tiny blessings. Let them know you appreciate them and love on them. Express how much they mean to you and allow your heart to fill up with gratitude. It’s simple, and you never know…you might just make their day.
What are you thankful for? What are some ways you practice gratefulness?In every season, I pray you find the simple things in life to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Blessings!
