3 steps to become more thankful

I think we could all become more thankful from time to time. If I told you there were three simple things you could do everyday to become more thankful, would you do them? If your answer is “YES,” then read on.

As I opened my Jesus Calling devotion this morning, I read, “A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven.” The words reminded me that thankfulness is not a gift, it’s an attitude. However, it is an attitude we must choose. Sometimes, even moment by moment.

Choosing to be thankful, when our circumstances do not call for it, mysteriously unlocks those “windows of heaven.” Moreover, thankfulness leads to love, which gives way to peace and throws us right into joy. Jesus is a great example.

At the last supper, Jesus broke the bread, giving thanks to God, offered it to each one of us. Although he knew everything that awaited him in the coming days, he chose to thank God anyway. Jesus shows us how to live and offers that same way of living to us.

Thankfulness is a choice.

Many years ago, I, along with a bunch of other moms at church, thought it would be really cool if our children did a “Thankful Moment” during our annual Thanksgiving luncheon. As proud parents, it was really just another opportunity to showcase our kids. The moms went to work, practicing with the kids for six weeks. They were to memorize scripture, prayers and thanksgiving songs. However, all they wanted to do was play and cut up with one another. As the day drew near, our frustrations increased.

On the day of their performance, our children took the stage, each one stepping up to the microphone on cue. They recited their verses perfectly, said their prayers with ease and sang their songs with confidence. At the close, the audience erupted in clapping, crying and hugging. There seemed to be a lot of joy in the room. Unfortunately, there was none for me. I was just thankful the whole thing was over.

It was not long before a woman approached me with tears in her eyes. She said, “Thank you. I needed the reminder of Thanksgiving.” She explained that she had no family in the area and never had any children. She believed, through the performance, we had reminded her what it means to be thankful.

In response, now with tears in my own eyes, I thanked her back. When she inquired why, I explained, “The reminder we gave you, you just gave back to me and for that, I am thankful.” Thankfulness is a choice and one worth remembering.

Here are 3 simple steps to help you become more thankful.  

1. Pray prayers of thanksgiving. “Thank you God for ________.” You fill in the blank. Repeat this over and over throughout your day.
2. Read scriptures of thankfulness. Here are three verses but there are over 100. See if you can find them all. 1 Chronicles 16:8; “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.“  Psalm 106:1; “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18; “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
3. Keep a Gratitude Journal. When I have a bad attitude, I pull out my journal and begin listing all the things I am grateful for. This is an excerpt from my journal; “I thank you God for my cat, my family, my sister, my husband, our son, our friends, our home, the sunshine, this blog I write weekly, thoughts, dreams, passion, feelings, the love God has for me, and our health.”  

As Thanksgiving draws near, let us realize thankfulness is a choice. Let us practice these three things daily and begin cultivating a grateful attitude. Why? Because, it is God’s will for us to give thanks in all things. God has instructed us to be thankful. And hasn’t God given us so much to be grateful for? Sometimes, we just need to remember.

Let us pray;

Lord, I just want to thank you. For everything! In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Don’t miss the song below. Make it your prayer of thankfulness. Also, leave me a comment below and tell me what you are thankful for. Share this message with a friend to let them know how thankful you are for them. Post this on Facebook and tag me. Together, let’s show the world how thankful we are!

Wanna Go Deeper? Pray the scriptures out loud. Write them on sticky notes and post them around your house and workplace. Let them be a reminder to you to be thankful. Think about your gratitude list, reflecting on those who may not have what you have. Pray for them. -M

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