Let’s talk about how to make gratitude a daily habit.
Gratitude is pretty sparse in the world we live in. It’s so easy to whine and complain about what we don’t like, but what if we could train ourselves to respond with gratitude?
It’s God’s will for us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV). In other words, there is Someone to direct our thanks to in all circumstances.
There’s also something to be thankful for within all circumstances. No matter what we face, God’s character remains the same.
We can always count on Him to be for us and not against us.
Today we will talk about how gratitude impacts the mind, what causes a lack of gratitude, tips to make gratitude a habit and more.
This post will be all about how to make gratitude a daily habit.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
Gratitude And How It Impacts The Mind
Gratitude is a tool that allows us to give birth to life in all situations. It’s a way to set our minds on what the Spirit desires.
When our minds are governed by the Spirit, we can expect life and peace (Romans 8:5-6 NIV).
Practicing gratitude allows us to shift the prosocial circuits in our brain to bring us closer to God, ourselves, and others.
Simply put, it has the ability to rewire our brain and create new neural pathways that promote positive effects.
It’s very interesting because our brains reward us by releasing neuromodulators like serotonin as well as dopamine.
I’ve also learned that a regular gratitude habit has the ability to help in resilience to trauma in multiple ways:
- It provides a reframing and resilience to prior trauma.
- It helps us persevere for when later adversities arise.
This is probably why God encourages us to consider it pure joy when facing trials (James 1:2 ESV).
For more on how gratitude affects the brain, check out this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast HERE.
Speaking of podcasts, did you know that Blissful-Faith has a podcast? Yes! We just relaunched our podcast! OGs know that we had a podcast back in 2020, but we’re back and better OKAY. Our podcast is exclusively on Spotify for now, but later we will be on other platforms. Click the image below to listen to our first episode entitled “It’s Okay To Start Again”.
What Causes A Lack Of Gratitude
I’ve come to realize that I have two responses to my circumstances. I can either worship or whine and there’s no in between.
When I wined, nothing good came from it. I was frustrated, angry, easily triggered, and more.
But when I started to learn about gratitude and practice it consistently, I began to change.
And get this: My situation hasn’t changed much.
Let’s look at what causes us to lack gratitude:
1. Entitlement
A hard lesson I had to learn is that God doesn’t owe me anything (and btw I’m still reminding myself of this).
I’m not my own idea. I belong to God and the fact that I have life is a blessing in itself.
Taking things for granted and writing them off as the bare minimum is the fuel of ingratitude. What makes me think that Christ and what He’s gifted to me isn’t enough?
If anything, it’s a great start to practice being thankful. None of the seemingly small things should be taken for granted.
How much do we miss by comparing which brings me to the next reason why we find ourselves lacking gratitude.
2. Comparison
“But God how come they have you and other things? God how come they can get away with that and I cant? How come they have all of the friends and they can go on trips? Why am I not living life or having fun? I want to see the world too God”.
This is what God is saying to all of us:
Why are YOU taking your eyes off of Me? Who told you to take your eyes off of me and the lane I carved out for you? You have no idea what’s going on in another person’s life and honestly it’s none of your business.
I know you have wants and desires, but will you take the time to see me and realize that I’m the One who placed you here on the Earth?
You didn’t give yourself life, breath, a mind with all of those brilliant ideas and visions, or anything else. Slow down and see Me.
Take a look because I’m trying to build a foundation in you (and the generations within you) that’ll last. You want the trip, but what if the trip makes you feel more trapped?
Wait on Me.
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3. Holding Onto The Life We’ve Given Away
I gave my life to Christ.
When you give something away, it’s no longer yours. If I were to give you money, but tried to control how you managed it; you would think that I was crazy.
You are no longer in control. Say it slowly: I am no longer in control.
If God is big enough to create the heavens, the earth, and all of its inhabitants; then what’s your little life to Him?
The only reason why God is training us to be good managers is because that’s what He is.
Bestie, the more we hold on; the more we lose. But when we let go, the more we gain.
It reminds me of song lyrics: “If you love something, you’ve got to let it go. And if it comes back then it means so much more”.
It’s time for us to increase our trust in God. He is responsible for carrying you and sustaining you because He made you (Isaiah 46:3-4 ESV).
4. Unrealistic Expectations
Life rarely goes in the way we expect it to. Can I get a amen?
We can make all the plans we want, but it is God who determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9 NLT). His purpose will prevail over any of our plans and that is something we just need to accept (Proverbs 19:21 NIV).
Also I find that I have unknowingly expected for others to supply what God alone is meant to give me.
I was able to realize through time with God that I was expecting the same relationship that hurt me to fix me.
God is the only one who wounds and bandages (Job 5:18 NLT).
As I write this, I’m realizing that ingratitude is a result of not knowing God. And if you don’t know someone…how could you possibly trust them? The Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle is designed for you to get to know God so that you can trust Him. Click the image below to get it today.
Daily Gratitude Ideas For Adults
Gratitude habits don’t have to be complex.
A simple practice can go a long way especially for us who get overwhelmed easily.
Here are some daily gratitude ideas for adults:
1. Find And Revisit A Storytime Of God Blessing Someone
Hearing stories brings us joy. Think about it: We learn and grow through storytelling and we never depart from it.
It starts when we are little and continues throughout our lifetime. Stories have a way to captivate us and keep our attention because it’s a way that we can easily process information.
It’s no wonder why God decided to inspire men to document His story.
He even tells us to remember and tell our children and grandchildren of the work He has done (Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT).
Finding and revisiting a story of God showing up in someone’s life will build your faith and help your brain to release oxytocin which is the love hormone.
2. Pause And Thank God While Reading The Bible
God tells us exactly who He is in His word. He wants us to know Him and who we are in Him.
When you read your Bible, just thank Him based on who He says He is.
This is something I have been learning recently and it’s been effective!
3. Create A Gratitude Jar/Box
Whenever you get a moment, jot down something you are grateful for on a piece of paper or a sticky note.
Say it aloud to speak it into the atmosphere and then place the note into a jar or a box.
You can do this in the morning, after lunch, or just before you wind down for the night.
Check out this gratitude box I made along with the how to video down below:
4. Before Breakfast Ritual
Every morning before you eat breakfast (or lunch), thank God aloud for at least three things.
Try to focus on the things that are unseen (Psssst….things like His attributes).
5. Changing Your Language
Language shifts are great!
Instead of saying “I have to practice gratitude”, speak “I get to practice gratitude”.
A simple language shift is monumental to forming a daily gratitude habit.
6. Reminding Yourself Of What God Has Done
I started to place myself in the Bible because I realized that God is letting us into His history.
When I notice a promise, I insert my own name to make it personal.
I also practice remembering scripture as if God told me personally or I experienced the situation myself.
Examples:
- God remember when you told me that your name is I Am that I Am (Exodus 3:14 NIV).
- Remember when you let us walk through the Red sea and the water was like walls to right and left (Exodus 14:22 NIV).
I encourage you to look at the people in the Bible as if they’re your ancestors.
The Bible is full of accounts of how God has always been faithful to us as a people.
As I write this, I’m realizing that ingratitude is a result of not knowing God. And if you don’t know someone…how could you possibly trust them? The Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle is designed for you to get to know God so that you can trust Him. Click the image below to get it today.
Daily Gratitude Ideas For Children
Children learn the most through play and song.
Here are three easy gratitude ideas that you can practice with children:
1. Encourage Them To Pick A Flower For God
A little girl recently picked me a flower and it was the sweetest thing. It got me to thinking, what if this was an opportunity to teach her how to give gratitude to God?
2. Play A Gratitude Song
When I was a daycare worker, we played morning songs for the children.
Morning songs were actually a thing that the children looked forward to everyday.
Here are a few gratitude songs that I recommend:
3. Cut Out Hearts And Have The Write What They’re Thankful For
Take some construction paper and cut out a few hearts. Every night allow the child to write what they’re thankful for.
Store the hearts in a folder or even a box.
At the end of the week, review it with them.
11 Tips To Make Gratitude A Habit
1. Decide To Do It
Psalm 118:24 KJV-This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
You have to make a conscious effort to be thankful. We all know that it’s effortless to complain and say the things that we don’t like.
If we want to be in God’s will, we have to decide to practice it.
Practice doesn’t make perfect. It signs us up for what we want to be permanent.
In other words, it forms a habit that has the potential to affect generations.
What if making gratitude a habit helps your bloodline to stay in God’s will?
2. Learn About It
Psalm 9:1 ESV-I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
The Bible says wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. And with all you get; get an understanding (Proverbs 4:7 KJV).
I didn’t know how practicing gratitude would affect me. What I did know was that complaining was fueling my anger.
It’s one thing to read about a practice, but it’s another thing experience it.
Plus I learned that it’s God’s will for us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV).
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
Psalm 7:17 ESV-I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Pick a gratitude habit and practice it. Make it a part of your routine.
It can be the same one everyday or you can switch it up.
What matters most is that you practice speaking aloud and directing your thanks to God.
4. Do A Bible Study On Gratitude
Colossians 3:15 ESV-And the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which you were indeed called in one body. And be thankful.
Thee are many Bible studies you can choose from.
Scripture is full of God’s reminders for us to be thankful.
Within the Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle, there is a Bible reading plan on trusting God. You can use it to practice thanking God based on His word. Click the image below to get your workbook today.
5. Make It Fun
James 1:17 ESV-Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down form the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
One thing that God calls us is His children.
When we look at our habits and practices as a chore, it can make us not want to do them.
What if we could make them fun like a child would?
When you find yourself practicing gratitude, make it a friendly competition between you and God.
You can say: “God, I bet I can thank you more times than it’s written in the Bible”.
6. Pay Attention
Philippians 4:6 ESV-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Remember how I shared that I learned that making gratitude a habit rewards us?
Pay attention to your mood and how your perspective changes as you practice gratitude.
Don’t expect things to shift outwardly, but have an expectation that things will start to shift within you.
Gratitude shifts your mind and worldview. Then once your mind is renewed…your external environment follows.
What if your gratitude habit changes the atmosphere of your home or work environment?
The change you’ve been looking for starts within you.
7. Praise God With Singing
Psalm 100:2 ESV-Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
God loves to hear your voice. Trust me, I don’t sing very well, but He still inhabits these praises!
He says to come into His presence with singing (Psalm 100:1-2 NLT).
He wants to live in our praises Besties!
8. Set A Timer
Psalm 107:1 ESV-Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Sometimes you need a reminder to practice gratitude.
Where are all my people who need to put things on a schedule?
I can hear you now, “If its not scheduled, I will forget about it”.
9. Use Your Gifts For Others
2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV-Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
We’re all an extension of God and our gifts belong to each other.
It’s called a gift because we’re supposed to give it away. Now you may not be able to create for someone daily, but this may be way to tithe.
This season I don’t have much money to tithe, but I do have time. Who said that tithing was only money?
God may be asking you to tithe in your business by giving away ten percent of what you sell.
He may be asking you to spend time volunteering at the nursing home.
This is an awesome way to worship God while making gratitude a habit.
Plus you’ll have more reasons to thank God!
10. Move Your Body
Ephesians 5:20 ESV-giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have to be honest: I fell all the way off in this area. Working out used to be my thing!
If you are anything like me, then you must know that it’s okay to start again.
Start working out again as a thank you to God.
Remember: We GET to move our bodies (language shift).
11. Practice Sitting In Silence
Psalm 107:1 ESV-Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. For his steadfast love endures forever!
This tip may seem unorthodox, but silence is telling.
I used to be afraid of being in the silence because of the many negative thoughts in my mind.
After some practice, I realized how beautiful it is to just be able to be alone with God and my thoughts.
How often do you just sit in silence? Especially before God just to listen to Him?
I’m sure we all need to do this more often.
Having a regular gratitude practice will form a healthy gratitude habit. Once the habit is formed, the benefits are endless. Not only will you be walking in God’s will, but you will be positively affecting the people around you.
This post was all about how to make a gratitude a daily habit.
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
How To Be Content In Life Through Every Season
Before You Go…Let’s Recap
A quick recap of gratitude ideas for children:
- Encourage them to pick a flower for God
- Play a gratitude song (and let them sing and dance it out!)
- Cut out hearts and have them write what they’re thankful for.
Besties, let’s have fun with our gratitude habits. You can even make it a family affair! I think the habit I’m most excited to try is the gratitude box. What about you? 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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