Let’s talk about practicing gratitude.
Yes, it’s possible to experience God’s best in dark moments. Practicing gratitude is just one of the ways we can do so.
Think about it this way: If there were no darkness, how would we know light? The absence of darkness is light and light represents knowledge, goodness, and God’s presence.
If you’re experiencing darkness right now, there is hope. That hope is found in practicing gratitude.
Gratitude is the tool we can use to open the door for God’s presence to illuminate our situations far beyond what we can imagine.
Today we will talk about what it means to practice gratitude, what happens when you do it, the best time to practice and more.
This post will be all about practicing gratitude.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Does It Mean To Practice Gratitude
To practice means to do something over and over to get better at it. It’s what we do to make something a habit or carry out something meaningful to us.
Practicing gratitude is no different than rehearsing a skill or studying to make something stick.
When thinking of gratitude, I like to look at it as training or learning to use a tool for everyday use.
Let’s say you’re learning to play the guitar or developing the knowledge to become a skilled surgeon.
You wouldn’t just be learning the one thing you’re focused on, you would actually be learning the foundation and mechanics to apply the fundamental skills in your daily life.
For example, some say if you can learn the guitar then piano would be a breeze. You would be learning multiple instruments, while honing creativity, and practicing analytical thinking and focus.
Similarly, I’m sure surgeons have to remain calm under pressure and have manual dexterity and focus in the home.
These skills and practicing all are more efficient when practiced with awareness.
When you begin to understand the why behind anything, then you can easily appreciate the “what”.
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Why Should You Practice Gratitude Everyday
Gratitude is one of the keys to bringing light to any dark situation. Psalm 22:3 says that God is enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Other translations say that He inhabits the praises. This means that wherever praise is, that’s where God chooses to dwell.
When we practice gratitude we are creating space for God to sit in our situation with us.
This alone is so full because you can have confidence that you’re never alone and that knowledge and more is all around you.
Remember God is the Great I Am so whatever you need He is ready to be for you. Also I want to tell you that practicing gratitude isn’t meant for escape or a quick fix.
You may have thought that God coming into your situation means that He will take you out of it.
It’s not about being taken out of anything; its about developing the intimacy in your relationship with God as well as the tools to navigate life the right way.
Take it from me. I am in a situation that I thought I would be out of as soon as God gave me a promise.
I soon realized that its about longevity within the process.
{RELATED POST: How To Practice Delayed Gratification Daily}
When Is The Best Time To Practice Gratitude
Gratitude can be practiced anytime of the day. It’s like a muscle that you want to workout so that when you flex it, you can see the dimensions of it.
You may want to begin in the morning to set the tone of your day and continue to practice throughout the day.
Don’t overthink it. Just be intentional about it because there will be occurrences that try to hijack your joy.
It’s so much easier to complain than to practice gratitude especially in the midst of unfortunate situation.
How To Practice Gratitude When Depressed
Being depressed is like having a sunken hollow feeling that slowly creeps into how you think, act, and perceive the world.
At its core, its just one of the many states of the mind.
The goal is for us to allow the peace of Christ to rule in our minds. He has called us to peace because we are members of His body.
This is a reason that we’re capable of being thankful (Colossians 3:15 NIV).
Lets talk through some steps to practice gratitude when your soul is downcast:
1. Remember How The Lord Has Been There For You
Psalm 42:4 NIV-These things I remember as I pour out my soul: How I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
The Lord has always been there for you. Before you were born and even after you transition, He has vowed to carry you (Isaiah 46:3-5 NIV).
Think of any moment that you know God was there for: Begin to reminisce on the memory and thank Him for being there.
{RELATED POST: Practicing God’s Will: Giving Thanks In All Circumstances}
2. Put Your Hope In God And Praise Him
Psalm 42:5 NIV-Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
If God can be there for you in even the tiniest way, then He must very observant and willing to pay attention to you.
It says something about His character. In your memory of God being there, how did God show up for you?
Pay attention to His character and put your hope in that because He wont change.
For example, I was in my room and God allowed me to experience His presence in a unique way.
He was there in a way I didn’t know I needed.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1 NIV).
3. Remind Yourself Of Who God Is And What He’s Done
Psalm 42:6-9 NIV-My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
Repetition is needed. In fact, it’s vital. Think about it: The negative thoughts in your mind repeat until they stick.
Then life will reflect what you’re thinking and that exacerbates the sadness keeping you in a depressive cycle.
Let’s break that cycle with a habit of gratitude. Just because something sticks doesn’t mean that it has to be stuck there forever.
Remind yourself of who God is and what He’s done according to His word.
Get your Chillin With Hope Free Resource—————> HERE
4. Command Your Soul
Psalm 42:11 NIV-Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
You won’t feel like doing any this. Honestly you may think this information overload when you’re in a depressive state.
But let me inform you: This is far better than doom scrolling.
You have to tell your soul how to feel using God’s word. Your whole life depression has read you its script.
Now it’s time for you to go back to the original script where depression didn’t exist.
5. Repeat
Psalm 42:1-2 NIV-As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God.
Now you get to repeat these steps. Remember this is a process; a practice if you will.
It will not automatically jolt you from sadness to pure joy. The change you’re seeking will happen gradually.
For now, set your mind on what could happen and let what is be the catalyst to the change.
You are in the perfect environment for miracles to happen.
{RELATED POST: How To Turn Negative Thoughts Into Positive Thoughts}
I want to show you how this would look practically so check out the video below and grab your “Chillin with Hope” Resource.
You can experience God’s best in dark moments, but is up to you to set the atmosphere. Or how I would say it: Lay out the red carpet for God to come through!
This life is about partnering with God and every circumstance is a set up for His glory and your success.
Practicing gratitude is a tool to usher in Life, himself.
This post was all about practicing gratitude.
If You Enjoyed This Post, You’ll Love These:
Godly Habits: 9 Ways To Practice Gratitude
Master Self-Discipline: How To Practice Delayed Gratification
Practicing God’s Will: Giving Thanks In All Circumstances
Forgiving Yourself: 5 Steps to Forgive Yourself God’s Way
Before You Go…Let’s Recap
A quick recap of steps to practice when your soul is downcast:
- Remember the Lord being there for you
- Put your hope in God and praise Him
- Remind yourself of who God is and what He’s done
- Command your soul
- Repeat
When I was in a dark depressive state, I found Psalm 42 in the Bible. When I read the words, it was like finally an answer to how to be okay when you’re not okay. It gave me hope so I knew I needed to share it. The step that I need to practice more is putting my hope in God and praising Him. It can feel like you’re rejoicing for nothing when in a dark place…as if you are stuck, but then God meets you. Which step will you be practicing this week? Let’s talk about it in the comments down below.
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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