In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Really, God? Because I didn’t order this chapter. How can I give thanks in bad circumstances?

I was a sudden young widow and single mom to 7. Grief was grueling, my children were hurting and I was facing a future without a husband I couldn’t begin to imagine.

Life stunk. My heart was shattered. Every task seemed hard. And I was overwhelmed.

Maybe, like me, you’ve questioned the Biblical mandate to give thanks at all times.

Do we thank God for cancer or drunk drivers or hurricanes that bring so much destruction?

As I studied this verse, I saw it doesn’t say we’re to give thanks FOR everything but that we’re to give thanks IN everything.

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Most of us know cultivating a grateful heart is good for us. But do we know just how good?

While practicing daily thankfulness may seem like another chore, I hope to convince you the power of gratitude far outweighs the few minutes it takes to practice it. There are so many reasons to intentionally cultivate gratitude!

Let’s unpack the power of gratitude with these 12 benefits of giving God thanks.

1.Gratitude glorifies God. This alone would be reason to give thanks to God. Our gratitude glorifies God as we exalt not the gifts, but the Giver. Gratitude helps us realize all we have comes not because of us, but from God.

And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 1 Corinthians 4:15

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A thankful heart won’t just happen.

If I’ve learned one thing while studying what the Bible has to say about gratitude, it’s that we are by nature ungrateful people.

Our inclination is to grumble, to see the lack in life rather than abundance and to take everyday gifts for granted.

Instead, we need to choose gratitude.

But developing an attitude of gratitude takes intention.

Great, one more chore to add to my already too-long to-do list, you may be thinking.

Let me assure you, this will not be a chore. Taking a few minutes to practice daily gratitude is not only easy, but will change the way you see the rest of your day.

In fact, it will change your life.

7 Ways to Practice Daily Gratitude

We can cultivate gratitude a variety of ways. I’ve done most of these at some point. Some started spontaneously as God began tendering my heart to give thanks and some were deliberate steps that have become daily rhythms.

Let’s look at 7 ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude

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