How to: Cultivating a Thankful Heart

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

WOW! As I sit back and ponder this year 2019, I can’t help but to be absolutely THANKFUL. In terms of relationships, finances, health, work, my blog (you guys!) and so much MORE, God has been FAITHFUL! The two songs that come to my mind when I think about this year is “Faithful” & “See a Victory” by Elevation Worship.

Close friends of mine who know me deeply know that the beginning of this year was unbelievably challenging. I was tested, pruned, shaken, torn, and heartbroken. If you’ve ever been through something challenging you know exactly how this feels. I love the quote that says, “You don’t know what’s inside of you until you’re squeezed.” Ahhh, man let me tell you I was squeezed! But GOD in all His glory showed himself to be faithful over and over and over and over. What I thought was going to be the WORST year of my life has turned out to be THE ABSOLUTE BEST YEAR yet! I can’t even believe I’m typing these words… I’m smiling as we speak.

You guys, I write all this to say and show you that GOD IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS. He loves you and He cares about the condition of your heart. He see’s every tear shed, every battle you face. What the enemy wants to DESTROY you with, God already has a plan to TURN IT AROUND FOR YOUR GOOD.

Cultivating a thankful heart is a practice we ought to do DAILY, not just on Thanksgiving. Here are four tips on how to do just that:

1. Count each day as a NEW opportunity. “His mercies are new every morning.” When I think about how many times I’ve made a mistake in my life and God has been so gracious to me and has given me a CLEAN slate I can’t help but to be JOYFUL and SO thankful.
2. Never take for granted the simple things. This year I got to experience my first missions trip to Mozambique, Africa (more on my Africa Instagram highlight) and my life perspective has changed drastically. I AM SO grateful for what to us seem like “the simple things”: warm running water, a cushioned bed, electricity, cars, air conditioning, etc. To say I am blessed is an understatement. There are so many people who have no idea what an air conditioned room feels like… yet they’re still SO joyful!
3. Vocally share your gratitude with others consistently. It’s so easy to go about our everyday lives and overlook the things our friends/family do for us. Never take for granted your loved ones and always cherish the things that they do for you! A “thank you” goes a very long way. I challenge you to analyze your life and think about the roles people play and what they have done for you. Maybe it’s a friend that is always there to answer your text/call, share a laugh, or always down for a Starbucks date. There is always something to be thankful for.
4. Serve others. A heart full of gratitude is always looking for a way to GIVE! There are so many different capacities in which we can all serve in. No matter the capacity God see’s your heart and your willingness. Ways to serve: opening the door for someone, helping out an elder with their groceries, going on a missions trip, finding a need in your church to meet, paying for someone’s food, giving money to the needy, etc.

I hope this post has been helpful to you in your walk of cultivating a thankful heart every single day. The Lord has incredible plans for your life and there is so much more He wants to give and do for you. Let us THANK Him consistently for what He has done and what He will do.

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