As my wife and I were coming closer to our wedding date, as a part of our engagement process, the preacher who performed our wedding ceremony would regularly share wisdom and insights for our future together. One of the powerful gems he shared was, “As you live and grow together, make it a habit to express your appreciation to one another.”

Over a decade later, I can now see the truth and benefit of his wisdom. And while I have not always lived up to it, there is a tremendous blessing in making it a habit of being thankful and appreciative; not just in marriage, but in life.

Every aspect of our lives can use more thanks and gratefulness. Habits are addictive practices that are formed over a period of time through repeated acts.

How differently would you approach life if you expressed more gratitude than frustration? A sink full of dishes really means that not only do you have a house to live in but you have had food to eat. An empty tank in your car means that you’re not walking from destination A to destination B. Having limited closet space shouldn’t be a point of aggravation, but an intersection of gratitude and servitude (give some of the clothes away!).

Quite candidly, we have shortchanged ourselves by only focusing on gratitude, thanksgiving, and appreciation when November rolls around. In many cases, we have disrespected God by saying that we’re thankful when in reality we have only focused on ourselves and our bellies.

A scripture that we quote often has a principle in it for thanksgiving. It speaks to having a habit of thanks that is undeniably strong and engaging. David writes in Psalm 34:1, “I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.

How can we approach life with a greater appreciation for it? How can we approach each day with a greater sense of thanks to God, people, and the circumstances that we are in? Although we can’t answer the totality of that question in one setting, we can get started by:

Being strategic. We are strategic with our relationships, education, calendars and even entertainment. Let’s schedule and be strategic with our time to be grateful and express our appreciation to God. Daily, weekly, monthly and annually, we ought to set aside time to only express gratitude.

Being structured. How can you be structured in expressing your thanks for life and living? Make a list! It has been said in many arenas of life and on multiple levels, journal your appreciation. For those that don’t journal, without feeling overwhelmed with the process, simply keep a sticky note or an electronic document of all of the blessings that you daily receive. You will be amazed at all that you can be thankful for.

Being sacrificial. Don’t just be thankful for what you like about your life. Be thankful for everything. This would include the good, the bad and the ugly. Notice what 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 shares: “In everything gives thanks.” When you express gratitude in tough times, you force yourself to adopt a mind that is more like Jesus Christ than satan. Further, it forces you to begin to see situations from God’s view versus your own view.

Habits aren’t created without starting something small first.

Today, you can begin to create a new habit by doing something small, yet significant right now. Take some time to tell God how much you appreciate Him. If you start now, it’ll be a habit in no time.

by Christopher Harris

9 Responses to A Habit of Thanks

  1. Heather says:

    God is Good all the time. It is very hard to be Thankful when you going through hardships
    but that is exactly when we should try our best to say “thank you Lord, I know you are
    watching over me more through this time “and the Blessings for obeying our Heavenly is doubled.

  2. Abaynesh Assefa says:

    It is grateful message,I decide to thank God in the midst of hardship.

  3. Paul Choo says:

    God knew habits about 2000 years ago. Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV), see the word “practices” also in Phi 4 and others, meaning cultures, traditions, habits (see Dictionary), ptl, amen! Thanks to God for futuristic antique revelations.

  4. Leila Gamboa says:

    I always read all your messages but this one I would say made me changed for the better,Giving thanks to God with a grateful heart

  5. Joel Canders says:

    This holds true concerning we as people. We often neglect to give God thanks concerning what He has done in our lives. I’m guilty of this, and now I’m finding more peace, and joy in my life, due to me just thanking the Lord for every good, bad, and ugly situation. At first it seems mechanical, but the more you practice it (Thankfulness) your heart begins to grow the capacity to be more thankful. Truthfully, we don’t always like, or enjoy what we’re going through, but in the tough times, our saviour is right there. Be encouraged people of God, He’s right there. In the midst of the battle!

  6. louise wohltmann says:

    The older I get– I am 73—-the deeper I am able to realize the sacrifice of YESHUA. He left us with the Holy Spirit who is our Helper, Comfort,and Truth. . G-d knew way ahead of time about each and every one of us.He knew what we would need, how we would need it and when we would need it. We need HIM momentarily . We have access to Him moment to moment. G-d has provided . Yes I ,personally , am grateful.

  7. Cheryl says:

    I am truly bless from this message. I just love to give God thanks. Please pray for my family.

  8. Mercy Satsatin says:

    Thank you for the word of God. It gives me inspiration of everyday life. To God be the glory, in Jesus Name.

  9. Friday Bodjor says:

    Thank you for this wonderful page

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