Happy Thanksgiving, friends! And Happy Thanks-living! Giving thanks with a grateful heart is a daily endeavor, right?
As I think about the two simple words, “Give Thanks,” I am reminded that gratitude does not happen to us. It is chosen and acted upon.
And let’s face it. Gratitude does not come naturally to us.
Especially in a fallen world.
Giving Thanks is Not Conditional
As I think about the two simple words, “Give Thanks,” I am reminded that gratitude does not happen to us. It is chosen and acted upon.
Giving thanks does not depend on being in grateful circumstances.
Giving Thanks is More Than Words
One of the first songs I sang as a new Christian was the song “Give Thanks.” The lyrics begin, “Give thanks, with a grateful heart…” This seems fairly obvious, right? You can’t give thanks with an ungrateful heart, right? Or can we?
Since God sees our thoughts and the condition of our hearts, giving thanks is more than just expressing the sentiment on our lips.
Giving Thanks with a Grateful Heart
How can we give thanks this Thanksgiving with a grateful heart? Below are a few thoughts that came to my mind…
The 4 C’s of Gratitude
• Count. Count your blessings, name them one by one…from the least to the greatest.
• Consider. Consider what life would be like without your blessings.
• Contentment. Curate contentment by thanking those who make your life sweet.
• Call. Call on God and ask Him to help you see things in the light of eternity.
Mindset Hack of the Week
Which comes first? Gratitude or happiness?
The mindset hack this week is such a good reminder. If we think we have to be happy to be grateful, we miss the point of genuine gratitude. Genuine gratitude isn’t faked. It comes from a place of humility and realizing we are truly more blessed than we deserve.
A pastor friend recently remarked that he was disgruntled when his car was acting up. Then he realized he was grateful just to have a car. And thankful that the gauge on his car was letting him know he had problems.
I have started rewiring my brain when I get bugged about something. Instead of nursing the irritated thoughts, I defeat them with truth from God’s Word or simply gratitude, as my pastor friend exhibited.
When we traveled recently, little inconveniences became an opportunity to look at troubles as an opportunity to display God’s grace to those around us.
I hope you are grateful (even if you aren’t feeling it) and would love to hear about it! To share my gratitude, click below for a free song from me to you to cultivate gratitude this Thanksgiving! I am grateful we have a choice in how we respond to the curveballs life throws us!
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that each of you will experience the joy of genuine gratitude this Thanksgiving, no matter what might be trying to steal your joy in this season of your life.
All for Jesus,
Denise