Gratitude isn’t something we naturally have in our lives. It is something that must be cultivated. We were all taught as children to thank someone for a gift, a compliment, helping us, etc. Each time we put it into practice we grew in showing gratitude. Eventually, it became a natural response. But it was because our parents and other adults helped cultivate that in us. But what about giving thanks to God?
It's not a natural response to give the Lord thanks either. First, it’s because we are sinners and don’t have a relationship with Him until we accept Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives. But even after we begin a relationship with Him it doesn’t become an instant response to Him. It is something that must be cultivated in us. Our parents can teach us to give thanks to God and set an example for us too. But to have a fully grateful heart towards the Lord we need more help than our parents can give. We need the work of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 2:9-12
“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
The Holy Spirit helps us understand what God has freely given us through Jesus Christ and His Word. As we grow more and more in our understanding of God, it leads to praise Him because there is none like Him. It also cultivates a grateful heart because we see in the Bible all that we have to be thankful for and the Spirit leads us to praise God for those things. Scripture also teaches us to give praise always and in all circumstances which we are only able to do because of the Holy Spirit living in us. He reveals to us how God is working in every situation and moves us to show gratitude in the midst of what is hard.
The Spirit of God gives us all we need to cultivate gratitude but we still have to choose to have a grateful heart. We have to choose to put thanksgiving and praise into action. Here are a few ways to grow in gratitude…
Daily Reading the Word: You can’t gain a better understanding of God that leads to thanksgiving if you are not first in His Word every day.
Gratitude Journal: Keeping a list of what God has done for you and what you are thankful for is a great reminder when difficult circumstances come. Remembering can help you give praise in any situation.
Action Plan: Having a plan to show gratitude to God each day, each week, and each month is what leads to gratitude becoming a natural part of your life. You can thank Him as you pray. You can Him show gratitude by doing something for someone else. You can show your gratefulness by simply singing praises to Him.
If you are ready to start cultivating gratitude or just grow in gratitude then I want to encourage you to take the 30-day gratitude challenge. It will help you get into the Word every day, record what you are grateful for, and put it all into action.
