How to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude in Christ

When I think of what it means to cultivate a heart of gratitude in Christ, the first thing that comes to mind is to consider what it means to cultivate something? The dictionary defines the word cultivate as a preparation and use of land for crops or gardening. It can also mean to try to acquire or develop a quality, sentiment, or skill. If this is true than my heart must be a garden being prepare to be used for crops and I must acquire or develop the skill in order to tend to my garden of gratitude in Christ.

What I have learned about walking with the Lord for almost 10 years is that the process is never fully complete. There is always something that we need to learn and there is always room for growth. It is easy to fall in love with Christ because he died for us but there is a constant training within our spirit that needs to take place so that we can stay in a place of gratitude towards the cross. If we are consistently cultivating our gardens from a place of constant gratitude our hearts will not be like hardened soil but will actually become rich, producing a crop that is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

Here are some practical and effective ways to show thankfulness to the Lord in our every day lives:

1. Share your testimony: Sharing our testimony about who we were, how Christ changed our lives, and what he means to us can magnify his goodness and also encourage someone else to be thankful for the cross. (Revelation 12:11; 2 Corinthians 1:4)

2. Give back: The Bible says that freely we were given so freely we should give (Matthew 10:8). Whether its sharing an encouraging word, buying someone a coffee, or providing assistance for a certain need, take the time today to freely give something of yourself as Christ gave himself for us.

3. The secret place: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). Make it a priority to spend time with the Lord today, because there is nothing more valuable than time. We serve a God who invites us to come into his presence and unlike the Israelites who had to stay at the bottom of the mountain, we have full access to Him.

4. Praise him: The Word says that God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). Are you thankful that he woke you up this morning? PRAISE HIM. Are you thankful that you have food on the table? PRAISE HIM. Are you thankful that you do not have to worry because God is Jehovah Jireh, a mighty provider? Well then, PRAISE HIM. He is worthy to be praised, and in the midst of praising Him, he reveals himself to us.

5. The Word: Read his Word, meditate on the scriptures, and decide in your heart to follow the Lords commands. In living a life of obedience we show the Father that we are thankful to his commands and that surely His rod and His staff comforts us. (Psalm 23)

So remember that cultivation takes time. The harvest doesn’t come overnight, but as you tend the garden of thankfulness, your life will yield a beautiful and abundant crop.