How to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude in All Seasons
Have you been curious about gratitude? What does it mean? How can I implement in all the seasons of life? William Arthur Ward states: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” Gratitude is meant to be expressed. We are not supposed to keep it for ourselves. Gratitude can be cultivated in both joyful and challenging seasons through intentional practices and a shift in perspective.
Understanding Gratitude in All Seasons
The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines gratitude like this: “a sense of thankfulness and happiness in response to receiving a gift, either a tangible benefit (e.g., a present, favor) given by someone or a fortunate happenstance (e.g., a beautiful day).” In other words, gratitude represents a sense of appreciation. Yet, gratitude is more than a feeling—it's a posture of the heart rooted in trust in God's goodness.
The University of Arizona shares that research reveals how expressing gratitude can improve various facets of wellness and resilience for individuals and has a positive impact on larger communities. This doesn’t mean that gratitude diminishes the challenges or negative emotions that we experience. But it can help us have a greater appreciation and compassion for ourselves during those difficult periods of time.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Key points:
We are instructed to not let worry consume us.
When worry creeps into our brains, we should present it to God while also giving Him thanks.
As we present our worries to God, we will begin to experience amazing peace within our minds and hearts.
Natalie Grant says that gratitude and anxiety cannot exist in the brain at the same time. When you are living in gratitude, this doesn’t mean the anxiety completely goes away. But as we breathe in peace and breathe out words of thanksgiving to God, something happens in our minds and our bodies. We start to slow down and the anxiety does gradually dissipate from our minds. Worry can’t exist in your brain at the time when you’re giving thanks to God. When you are overwhelmed with worry, begin to recall a moment where God was good to you and just thank Him.
Cultivating Gratitude in Joyful Seasons
How can we cultivate gratitude in seasons of hope and joy? Here are a few practical tips:
Acknowledge God’s Blessings
You can keep a gratitude journal to document blessings, big and small.
You could also implement a daily habit, such as mealtime prayers, to give thanks for abundance.
Celebrate and Worship
Use moments of joy to intentionally praise God
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name (Ps. 100:4).”
Guard Against Complacency
Reflect on how God is the source of all good things. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Take time think about how this is true in your own life.
Cultivating Gratitude in Challenging Seasons
Sometimes we encounter some more challenging seasons. How can we find gratitude in these seasons?
Find Gratitude in Small Things
It’s so easy to get caught up in the challenge of our season. When we do this, we can lose perspective. Gratitude can help us root ourselves in the good. We can focus on the good present in difficult situations. Practice "daily wins" journaling to shift focus to God's provision. Where did you see God today? How did He provide for you?
Turn to Scripture and Prayer
Meditate on scriptures about God's faithfulness during trials
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Pray honestly, thanking God for His presence even when outcomes are unclear.
Shift Perspective
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” One way that we can shift perspective is through focusing on growth through hardship and considering how challenges refine character. How might you be growing in this challenge?
Build a Supportive Community
We are not meant to walk alone. Share your struggles with others and listen to their stories of gratitude amidst hardship. Join a small group or online community to help build encouragement in your hard season.
Daily Practices to Build a Grateful Heart
Here are some daily practices that you could begin today:
Morning Reflection: Start each day by listing three things you’re thankful for.
Gratitude Walks: Spend time in nature, praising God for His creation.
Evening Gratitude Review: Reflect on how you saw God’s goodness throughout the day.
Acts of Kindness: Express gratitude by serving others, embodying thankfulness through action.
Seasonal Gratitude Challenges: Commit to practices like gratitude journaling during specific seasons.
Gratitude as Worship
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Gratitude can deeply strengthen our faith. It glorifies God because it leads us to trust in His goodness not our circumstances. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they prayed and sang praises to God. This was their worst-case scenario, and the first thing they did was pray. They trusted in God’s promises. Gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances. It is an ongoing act of worship. It is a daily discipline. We can trust in His promises even when life is not going the way we had hoped.
Gratitude can have transformative power in our seasons. Gratitude has the ability to help us thrive in our lives. This means gratitude has a place in our daily lives. It is pivotal. How can you take one small step today toward cultivating gratitude? Could you start a gratitude list? What writing thank you notes to people who have made an impact on your life?
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness that remains unchanging through every season of life. Show us how to cultivate a heart of gratitude in practical ways—whether through a simple list, a heartfelt prayer, or reaching out to thank those You’ve placed in our lives. Transform our perspective, Lord, and help us glorify You in all circumstances.
We ask for Your peace to guide us and for Your Spirit to strengthen us in the practice of gratitude. May it be the thread that weaves joy, trust, and worship into our everyday lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.