Sometimes proverbs and platitudes can be helpful. For example, even a fool seems wise when he keeps his mouth shut. It’s pretty straightforward. Keep quiet and you will seem wise. But in this month of thanksgiving, there are so many cute little sayings about gratitude:

“Have an attitude of gratitude.”
“Start each day with a grateful heart.”
“Practice gratitude.”

or simply

Be grateful.

Whenever I hear things like this, I immediately think, “But, how?” I want practical steps on how to practice gratitude in my life. I realize it is important and I know there are times when a little gratitude for the situation I am in would go a long way. Job understood this when he said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).”

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;                                                                                      James 1:19

We have all heard this verse and think it’s about keeping your temper. But I think there is more to learn here. If you are quick to hear it means you are listening. If you are slow to speak it means you are thinking about what to say. You can’t be a quick listener and a slow speaker if you are not in the moment.

Being in the moment is about not worrying about tomorrow or even the next moment. It is about staying present with the people you are with. When you are present and in the moment, that is when you are able to see and recognize things to be grateful about.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.      Psalm 96:11-12

Over and over in Psalms and Proverbs we see how the praise is specific. In the gospels we learn God is concerned about the details. He notices the sparrow. He decorates the flowers of the field. When we practice being thankful we need to be specific. Not only does it help us realize how much we have to be thankful for, it’s also the way it’s done in the Bible.

There are times when I get aggravated with my husband. In those moments, I make a decision to be grateful. Instead of just saying, “Lord, thank you for my husband,” I start listing the things about his character I find so unique and for which I am grateful. This whole conversation takes place in my head. And, honestly, every time I do it, my attitude changes.

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

 1 Corinthians 12:20

It is so easy to get into a place when you compare yourself to someone else. We tend to measure our success against another. We even compare the amount of stuff we have to someone else’s stuff. This is not a godly way of living.

You were intricately knitted together by God. He knew you specifically before you were even born (Psalm 139). To compare yourself or your life to another is to minimize the unique care and plan God has for you. Every part of the body is needed and serves a purpose. If you must compare, use the word of God as your reference. If you must compare, consider the person you were before salvation to the person you are now. These types of comparisons will naturally lead you to gratitude for all God has done for you.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.   Ecclesiastes 4:9

We are not meant to do this life alone. It’s why God created Eve. He needed a friend. You are not alone. In the struggles of daily life it is good to have a friend who can help you find your gratitude. In real life, times will be hard, you will need support. Being friendly also helps you get friends to experience your journey with you.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.     Ephesians 4:29

Complaining is absolutely corrupt talk. It does not build you up. It does not build anyone else around you up. It is not grace filled speech for those who can hear it. So, stop doing it. Just keep your mouth shut. Instead, start thinking about how and what you could be specifically thankful. Take that thing you want to complain about and find something, even if it’s small, for which to be grateful.

Gratitude is an everyday practice. Never stop praying. Never stop praising. Be grateful in all things.

Learn the rest in part 2…