What are you thankful for? Can intentionally practicing gratitude impact your life? Read this post for more…

In closing his first letter to the believers at Thessalonica, Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Did you know that “giving thanks in all circumstances” can actually benefit your emotional and physical health? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johns Hopkins University, the National Institutes of Health and many others now conclude that people who are grateful have reduced risk for a variety of mental and physical health challenges.

But, you can’t just decide to have an attitude of gratitude…you actually need to “give thanks”. The true benefits come when you regularly practice gratitude!

Here are few ways to actively practice gratitude:

Take time to reflect. Think back over your day or week and pinpoint specific people or moments that you are grateful for. Take a moment to let feelings of gratitude rise within you.

Give thanks and praise to God. Infuse your prayer life with expressions of gratitude for specific blessings God has provided.

Keep a gratitude journal. Write down something (or a few things) you are grateful for. This can be a great family activity too! Take turns sharing what you are grateful for and write them down together. Occasionally read back through your list of past gratitudes.

Write Thank you notes. Send letters, emails or texts to people who have done something for you.

Make a physical product that represents things you are grateful for.  This could be a paper chain, or a jar that you fill with slips of paper on which you have written something you are grateful for. One year my family wrote on paper cut outs of our hand shapes and made a gratitude tree on a wall in our living room.

If you need someone to walk with you to help you begin or become more consistent in cultivating a practice of gratitude, reach out to a member of the Texas District Care and Coaching Team!

https://txlcms.org/texas-district-care-team/