“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Do you find it easy to be grateful, or do you find it easier to complain? Like many things in life, some people are more naturally thankful, and some are more naturally prone to grumbling, but living a life of gratitude is a learned behavior. It’s a lifestyle we can learn, practice, and benefit from all our days.
You may have heard it said that whatever you look for, you will find. If you’re focusing on the obstacles in your way, they’re all you’ll see. Being a complainer is bad for you in all sorts of ways. Besides making people not want to be around you, complaining can actually change the structure of your brain, making it easier to think those types of negative thoughts the next time the opportunity arises. Complaining also releases stress hormones into your blood, which can increase depression, raise your blood pressure, and affect your sleep quality, among other things.
On the other hand, living with gratitude is known to improve your health and relationships. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can also decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.” No matter what is happening in your life, you can find something to be thankful for, but it might take some training on your part. Once you start the habit of giving thanks, you might be surprised how many blessings you can identify in your life. Here’s how to get started:
The way to stop complaining is to start thanking.
Being intentionally thankful is the first step to living with an attitude of gratitude. Be mindful of the things you’re saying (to yourself or out loud) and start replacing the complaints with something you’re thankful for. You may have seen the viral social media post before that says, “Instead of complaining about dishes to do, be grateful that you have food for your family. Instead of complaining about laundry, be grateful for clothes for your children…” That’s the idea. Work on changing the way you look at each aspect of your life, and see if you can’t feel a difference in your mood and thought life.
“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:34
And in case you’re tempted to write this off as a self-help hack or a Pollyanna worldview, read Romans 12. What we’re talking about is renewing your mind for the purpose of being able to fulfill God’s will in your life. It’s powerful!
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Find ways to express your thankfulness
Look for opportunities every day to show gratitude to God, your family, your coworkers, even strangers! The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Opening your eyes to the ways you’re blessed is a habit that will become almost automatic in time, but at first, it’s something you need to plan to make time for. Use a journal or a notepad to remind yourself to write down things you’re thankful for, prayers of thanksgiving to God, people you want to thank, etc. Not only will this help you face your day with a better perspective, but when you’re in difficult times, you can look back and be reminded of the good things God has done.
“In happy moments, praise God. In difficult moments, seek God. In quiet moments, worship God. In painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.”
Rick Warren
Ask for help.
If you’re really brave, ask your spouse, kids, parents, or friends to point out to you when you’re complaining. As painful as that might be, it’s a powerful tool to help you recognize and change your behavior. If you have young kids, you could make it fun by having a jar of silly actions (ie: make a funny face, do 10 jumping jacks, sing a song, etc.) that you have to draw from every time they catch you complaining. Getting someone else involved will probably help them be more grateful, too!
Thank you for reading! Do you have any ideas to help keep your mind on gratitude instead of grumbling? Tell us in the comments!
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