5 Questions to Cultivate Gratitude

Cultivating a grateful heart is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Seriously, it changes everything!

A woman willingly participated in a biofeedback study. The doctors conducting the study asked her to think of a stressful situation and then monitored her heart rate and blood pressure—both rose dramatically. Stress will do that, huh? Then they asked her to begin imagining a situation for which she was extremely grateful. Guess what? Her blood pressure immediately dropped, and her heart rate returned to a normal range.

God knew what He was doing when He invited us to praise and give Him thanks. When we praise Him, our entire being is transformed—body, soul, and spirit. Over the last 25 years, I have watched God lower blood pressure, change attitudes, transform thinking, and heal bodies when people have intentionally chosen to praise Him. The transformation is remarkable!

Why not start now with intentional patterns of praise and gratitude? Keep track of the changes you see in yourself and write them down. After a month, look back and celebrate what God has done.

Here’s a plan to help you get started:

Read Psalm 103. Read the Psalm slowly, out loud, as a declaration over your life. The power of declaring Scripture out loud is huge! Enjoy and savor every verse. Then grab a journal and a pen and start recording your praise. Think back specifically over the past month as you reflect on the questions below.

Reflective Questions to Cultivate Gratitude:

• What sinful attitudes has God forgiven in your life?
  
• What diseases has God healed for you personally or in the lives of those you love?
  
• How has God redeemed your life from the pit?
  
• What desires of your heart has God granted?
  
• How have you experienced the deep love and compassion of God?
  

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I know that a heart of gratitude delights Your heart. As I cultivate praising You, may my heart overflow with thanksgiving!

This week on The Connected Mom, we’re talking with author Jennifer Watson about her new book, What If You’re Doing Better Than You Think? 

If you’re interested in going to Greece with Steve and me next September to visit the places where Paul ministered, don’t forget to sign up!