7 Habits That Promote Soul Rest: Gratitude

A few years ago I was part of women’s Bible study group in another church. As part of the study book we were doing, we were all encouraged to keep a gratitude journal. Every day for a week we were instructed to write down at least three things we were thankful for.

One of the women in the group was skeptical on how this exercise was going to help. She was going through a difficult time in life. Financial problems. Work problems. Family problems. How was writing down three things on a piece of paper going to help her?

But the next week she came back with a smile. She reported, “I can’t believe how much the gratitude journal changed my perspective on life. I didn’t think it would make any difference. But simply finding three small things to thank God for every day transformed my attitude.”

The habit of gratitude is, without a doubt, a practice that inspires soul rest.

So much of the turmoil and unrest I experience come from discontent, envy, and comparison. When I look at the fabulous career of a friend, I feel a twinge of jealousy. When I work hard, but success seems just out of reach, I complain. When friends talk about spending time with their families while my daughter lives halfway around the world in China, my happiness melts away.

But when I deliberately choose gratitude, my perspective is transformed. It’s my natural inclination to stay in the cellar of discontent and grumble. (I’ve even been known to throw a pity party down there). Often, I can’t even take the first step of gratitude on my own. I need the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to say, “Thank You.” Each thank you becomes a step on a staircase out of the cellar of discouragement and despair.

So how can we develop a habit of gratitude? Here are a few ways:

Start a gratitude journal. Buy a pretty journal or grab an empty spiral notebook. Every day write down three things that made you smile, that you’ve taken for granted, or that gave a moment of joy. Like my Bible study group, try the gratitude experiment for a week and see what a difference it can make.

Use a commonplace cue. I recently turned my frustration with stop lights into a cue for gratitude. Every time I’m forced to stop at a red light I use the time to thank God for the many blessings He gives. What everyday occurrence could you use as a signal to give thanks? Walking through your front door? Pouring a cup of coffee?

Make the decision to be grateful. When you find yourself in the cellar of discontent–don’t stay there! Immediately make the decision to get out through the stairway of gratitude. When my friend talks about her fabulous career, I can thank God for the writing work He has given me. When I hear about families spending holidays together, I can be grateful that my family is close at heart if not in miles.

Psalm 100:4 says:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Thanksgiving leads us into God’s presence. And in His presence, we find soul rest.

Next step: Choose one of the gratitude habits to implement this week. Perhaps use sticky notes in strategic places to remind you to write in a gratitude journal, use commonplace cues, or to make the decision to be grateful.