It’s that beautiful, decadent, dazzling time of year again, when the leaves turn, the temperature drops, and warm cider-flavored drinks hold promises of warmth and comfort for us. Finally, after waiting all year, our favorite season has arrived. Turkey season. I may not actually appreciate the turkey as much as I could, but I do love that we dedicate an entire day to celebrating gratitude and proclaiming our thanks. However, we shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to cultivate a heart of thankfulness. It’s something we should be working on all the time. Now that it’s top of mind with the onset of the holidays, let’s take the time to make gratitude a normal part of our lives.
Fall is a great time to slow down for some self-reflection. What better time is there to sit next to a warm fire or a flickering candle with a cozy cup of tea and examine ourselves? It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year and ask ourselves if we’ve truly been giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And if not, how can we change that going forward?
Spiritual Roots of Gratitude
We have many reasons to be grateful. I don’t mean blessings – the things for which we are grateful. I mean reasons to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Not only are we told to be grateful (Colossians 3:17, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 118:29), but gratitude has spiritual and physical benefits. Gratitude sanctifies ordinary things (Timothy 4:4-5), teaches us contentment (Philippians 4:11-13), and opens us to His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, reminding us of God’s goodness.
Being grateful also reshapes our mindset. It nourishes our brain, body, and soul, lowering stress, fostering joy, and building resilience. We all experience hardship – it’s a facet of life on Earth. But studies suggest that gratitude can reduce the impact daily stressors have on us. Embracing gratitude is even associated with lower cardiovascular responses to stress. It rewires our brain and reshapes our mindset, enabling us to fend off the detrimental effects of stress. As you can see, there are many reasons to cultivate a heart of gratitude this season.
Gratitude Practices for Fall
We now know why we should embrace a thankful mindset this fall. But how can we do it, especially if we’re in the midst of hardship? Here are some simple ways to cultivate a heart of gratitude:
Morning Routine:
Set the tone for your day with thankfulness.
- Begin each day with a prayer of thanks and surrender to God’s goodness.
- Keep a gratitude journal beside your bed and list three blessings each morning – or evening if that works better for you.
- Write one scripture about thankfulness each morning and think about how it applies to your life that day.
Thankfulness in Nature
Let creation lead you into praise.
- Take a nature walk and thank God for the beauty of creation around you.
- Take your quiet time or devotional outside and reflect on how creation mirror’s God’s glory.
- Visit a local farm or farmer’s market to pick up ingredients for a seasonal meal and thank God for His abundance.
Practice Gratitude in the Community
Gratitude grows when it’s shared.
- Send a thank-you text or message each Thursday to someone who’s blessed you.
- Host a gratitude meal where guests share about God’s goodness in their lives – you don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to do this.
- Create a paper chain of “thankful moments” with your family and link it around your home as a visual reminder.
Mindful Moments
Integrate gratitude into ordinary things.
- When cooking dinner or doing the dishes, thank God for the people those activities serve.
- Practice mindful eating and give thanks for every bite of food and sip of drink. Savor and appreciate each flavor and aroma.
- Combine breathwork with words of praise and gratitude.
Serve Others
Turn thankfulness into something tangible.
- Dedicate one weekend a month to volunteering at church or a food pantry.
- Donate items you no longer use to those who need them.
- Deliver a meal or baked goods to a neighbor.
Overcoming Gratitude Blockers
I understand that hard seasons can make gratitude difficult. Seasons of loss, uncertainty, overwhelming stress. Some mountains are so enormous they seem completely insurmountable. It’s ok if you’re facing one of those mountainous trials and gratitude doesn’t come naturally. It just means you’re living the human experience. Still, finding a way to be grateful will set you up for success, and it can make the entire journey more palatable. Be honest in your prayers to God. He knows you’re struggling – you can’t hide from Him. Pour out your heart to Him and ask Him to heal it. Ask Him to help you reframe your struggles as an opportunity to rely on His goodness. And then wait on Him. He is moving, whether you see it or not.
Conclusion
If you’ve been on the struggle bus lately, you’re not alone. But embracing thankfulness and cultivating a heart of gratitude can make a difference in the impact the struggle has on your health. It can give you a reason to keep going, and it can remind you of all the lovely reasons you still have to have joy.
