You may remember how your parents trained you to say “thank you” whenever you received a gift as a child. That’s because while gratitude is a choice, it also requires cultivation.
In our fallen world, without cultivating a heart of gratitude, life can easily overwhelm or weary us with its tiring chores, difficult challenges, and unforeseen setbacks. Given our inclinations to focus on ourselves, what we don’t have, or our unmet needs and wants, we tend to complain and become resentful. Whether we vent or hide those feelings, they lead us to more discouragement, negative thoughts, and frustration.
Consider how often we are called to thank and praise God, especially in the Psalms, mostly written out of afflictions. Like the Psalmist, we can cultivate gratitude because our feelings are caused not just by what happened to us or around us, but by how we read what has happened. And that is determined largely by how we see God.
A key reason we can always be thankful regardless of our circumstances is given in Psalm 95:2-3, “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
God is not only sovereign over His entire creation, but good and gracious always. Hence the Psalms call us to worship Him. It is hard to whine when worshipping God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. Thankfulness is not just about believing in God, it is obeying His will for us. Gratitude is the only appropriate response to God who created and redeemed us through His Son.
How then can we cultivate a grateful heart?
Reflect on God’s blessings in our lives through Christ. Search the Scriptures. Write them down. Express thanks to God verbally, in prayers and songs. Share the reasons for our thankfulness with others. When faced with challenges, find ways to thank God still. Practice reframing our thoughts to see things from God’s perspective.
Remember His promises and look to our eternal hope in the Lord Jesus. Our suffering now cannot be compared to the glory to come. Remember that in Christ, everything happens to prepare us for heaven’s glory. Such gratitude can transform our view and response to everything in life for His glory.