TO GET YOU STARTED...

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin, with so much going on in each of our lives it can be hard to 'zero in' on expressing our heart of gratitude to God. Follow along with the following as you move into a lifestyle of greater thankfulness.

1. Praise God for His Goodness

The Psalms are filled with expressions of gratitude and praise, reminding us to thank God for His character, provision, and faithfulness.

• “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4
  Gratitude is an act of worship, and acknowledging God’s goodness is at the heart of our thankfulness.

2. Be Grateful for God’s Provision

Scripture teaches us to recognize and give thanks for the many ways God provides for our needs.

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
  Acknowledging God as the source of every good gift helps us cultivate a grateful mindset.

3. Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

The Bible teaches that gratitude should be a continual, inward attitude that affects how we interact with others and with God.

• “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
  Gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives—whether in work, relationships, or in worship.

4. Give Thanks for Salvation

One of the deepest sources of gratitude in the Bible is the salvation that God provides through Jesus Christ. Christians are encouraged to be thankful for the gift of eternal life and forgiveness.

• “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15
  The gift of salvation is a reason for endless gratitude.

5. Be Humble in Gratitude

True gratitude involves humility, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God, not something we have earned.

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
  This verse encourages us to approach God with a thankful heart, trusting that He will meet our needs.

6. Gratitude as a Lifestyle

The Bible encourages a lifestyle of continual gratitude, not just in specific moments of worship, but as an ongoing expression of a heart aligned with God's will.

• “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
  Living in peace and unity with others, and being thankful for that, reflects a life lived with a grateful heart.

7. Sharing Gratitude with Others

Thankfulness is also something that should be shared with others, both as an expression of God’s goodness to us and as an encouragement to others.

• “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
  Gratitude should flow from our hearts and be shared openly with others, giving glory to God.

8. Gratitude in Prayer

Gratitude should be a regular part of our prayer life, as we thank God for His blessings, guidance, and presence.

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
  Praying with thanksgiving helps to shift our focus from worries to God’s provision and faithfulness.

9. Your turn

By now you will have entered the Presence of God in a new way. Maybe you are feeling something physically, a sense of His presence with you, a peace that passes your understanding or maybe the Bible is coming alive to you in a new way... maybe you're on the floor right now stunned at His goodness! It might be something else too! Whatever the case I encourage you to praise Him for who he is, what He has done and thank Him for meeting with you.

What else are you thankful for? He will never grow tired of hearing you and spending time with you.