Day 3: Cultivating Gratitude

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful - Colossians 4:2

Yesterday, we looked at the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving and its core benefits. Bearing everything we have learnt in mind; we want to take a deeper dive into how to cultivate gratitude. Beyond the end of a season, the end of the year, and transitioning into the next, it is important that gratitude is a core part of our everyday life.

We often struggle with gratitude, especially in the day we live in as the present generation is one that has embraced a culture of constantly comparing themselves to one another, which the Word of God tells us is foolish (2 Corinthians 10:12). In doing so, a natural disposition of ingratitude is often sown into people's hearts without them knowing. It is so subtle and subliminal. It is a terrible trick of the enemy in this generation.

God did not design us to look outside of our own lives and to draw comparisons from others. We can be inspired or influenced by others, but we should not use that as a yardstick for what our lives should be. The only measure of our lives should be what the Lord has said and written concerning us.

We should learn to be thankful to God in absolute terms and not relatively. Absolute thanksgiving means that we are not doing so dependent on a situation, be it a personal circumstance or what we see going on in someone else’s life. In some ways, there is nothing wrong with giving God thanks relatively, but this can sometimes cause us to compare ourselves. If we learn to thank God absolutely for who He is and what He has done regardless of our circumstance or someone else’s, then we are less likely to slip into the trap of comparison.

We must, therefore, seek to intentionally cultivate gratitude in our hearts and make this a lifestyle. Here are some things you can do to intentionally cultivate gratitude in your heart:

1. Conversations - Have honest and regular conversations with God. Express your heart to Him, not just what you are happy about but also your disappointments in a reverential manner. Remember that He knows EVERYTHING!

2. Reflect - Daily reflect on your day before you sleep and focus on the things you are grateful for.

3. Journaling - Get a gratitude journal and intentionally setup time to use it regularly.

4. Gratitude Hour - Set a gratitude alarm at suitable intervals daily or every few days and dedicate it to giving thanks.

5. Accountability - ask a trusted friend to help keep you in check concerning your approach to gratitude. Consider doing some of the activities listed above with a group of friends.

Another angle to consider when thinking about gratitude, particularly at a time when transitioning from one season to the next, is gratitude towards others.Think about those you interacted with regularly or even occasionally over the past season. Consider mentors, sponsors, coaches, and the influential people in your life. Endeavour to do this across all levels and spheres. Then go out of your way to express your gratitude to them by writing a note, sending a message, contributing to a cause they support, buying a gift or whatever you are led to do.