Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)
Grateful: the appreciation of benefits received. Expressing gratitude.[1]
It is the response to what has already been given to the individual. It is not an obligation but rather the recognition of what has been bestowed.
Throughout the Bible, the significance of thanksgiving toward God is repeated. The Psalmist composed many songs dedicated to the expression of gratitude towards the wondrous deeds of the Lord. He wrote:
“enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Ps. 100:4).
Likewise, the Apostle Paul teaches
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).
The repetition in Scripture sets in stone this essential truth: expressing gratitude ought to be an important part of our lives. God has crafted gratitude into the very core of humanity; it is part of our inherent purpose. We were formed with the necessity of being in an active relationship with our Creator. This entails receiving strength and comfort when we are weak, essential discipline as a beloved child, and giving praise and thankfulness to our God.
We have been shown such love and given such incredible grace. Through the finished work of the cross and the companionship of the Holy Spirit, we do not walk alone. Instead, we have every reason to be truly grateful.
No matter what season we find ourselves in, the love of God has not changed. He is still reaching out to us and longs for us to find freedom in the delight of His incredible mercy.
He loves us.
Though many know of this need within the Christian life, there exists a need to incorporate this into daily life.
So how do we cultivate a heart of gratitude?
1. Prayer
Prayer is a mysterious yet beautiful aspect of the Christian life. We are invited into communion with God. In prayer, we can pour our hearts out to the Lord, come with confession, and are given the opportunity to listen to our God in solitude. However, we can also enter prayer with praise and thanksgiving, in which we exalt the name of God and actually tell Him what we are thankful for. Doing this not only renews our hearts but also alters our perspective. Rather than focusing on our circumstances alone (although there is certainly room to pour out our hearts to the Lord, opening up about every part of our lives), it shifts our perspective to the blessings we have been given and the grace we have been shown. This could take the form of audible communication with God or writing a list of everything you are grateful for and offering it in meditation and prayer to the living God, expressing your deep sense of gratitude. After all, He is worthy of praise and adoration (Ps. 96:4)
2. Reading Scripture
How does reading the Word cultivate a heart of gratitude? The Bible is God’s love letter to us. His Word is a beautiful narrative that tells of the most elaborate grace and love demonstrated to humankind. When we learn about who God really is (as He has revealed Himself to be), who we truly are, and what the Lord has done in our lives, it widens our knowledge of the grand story. We see the depth of grace and love shown by God, who is sovereign, all-powerful, and compassionate. The response to an encounter with the truth is to be in awe, wonder, and gratitude. Continuing to learn every day is an act of gratitude for this wonderful letter we have from Love Himself.
3. Worship
Scripture speaks of the significance of praising our God. The Psalmist writes:
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Ps. 150:6).
Despite where we may find ourselves, worship places our focus back on God. Instead of worrying over circumstances beyond our control, praising the Lord fortifies our trust in Him. It is a way of expressing confidence and praise to God, who is mighty and worthy of praise and who can carry us in every season of our lives.
Being thankful draws us closer to the Lord as we meditate and act on the grace and love He has demonstrated to us. It helps us fix our eyes on “the Author and perfector of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).
The believer is softened and refreshed in light of all He has done. Even our minds are healed from focusing on gratitude in our lives rather than dwelling on negative thoughts that seek to tear us down.
Thankfulness is a discipline in which we can honor the God who loves us so much. In doing this, our lives are transformed, and we are truly walking in the light amidst the darkness. Along with the Psalmist, we can place all that we do before the Lord and utter the words:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)
It becomes a joy and privilege to cultivate this heart of gratitude within our daily lives, as it’s all for the glory of the One who holds us in the palm of His hand.
Blessings,
[1] “Grateful.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Accessed August 24, 2021. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Grateful.