5 Ways to Cultivate Gratefulness and Weed-out Worry
I’ll admit it. I’m a worrier. My parents were worriers, so I picked it up like a habit. While trying to get to sleep, my mind can spin with “what if’s”.
After realizing that worry shows a lack of faith, I decided I needed to do something about it.
Living in the past is unhealthy. Yet, to learn gratefulness, we must first reflect on the difficult times and challenges. If we measure how far we’ve come, we can see the faithfulness of God and be grateful.
1.Use Visuals
Years ago, I heard about the idea of creating a “manna jar.” If you recall, God fed the Israelites manna in the wilderness. Aaron put some manna in the Ark of the Covenant so the people would remember how God had provided for them.Using that as inspiration, we followed Aaron’s example.
Our family made a manna jar and put mementos of times when God saw us through challenges and was our provider. Our manna jar has quite a few hospital bracelets. It has gauze pads to remind us of when my husband came close to bleeding to death from a nosebleed. It contains an EpiPen to remind us of when my husband went into anaphylactic shock from bee stings. It contains a little toy bike to remind us of how God protected our daughter when she rode her bike into the street. She hit an oncoming car and managed to walk away uninjured. Our manna jar contains many other reminders of God’s faithfulness over our 42 years of married life.
You can post visual reminders of gratefulness around your house. Post a sign where you’ll see it that says, “Count your blessings every day” or “Pray More, Worry Less.” The Bible mentions gratefulness 157 times. Find some of those scriptures.
2. Use Words
My husband says, “What’s the good news?” when he arrives home. It forces me to think of something positive that has happened, even on those days when I’m struggling not to worry. Somedays, all I can think of is, “The trash got picked up” or “There weren’t any bills in the mail.”
Other ways to use words include:
* Saying thank you.
* Writing letters of gratitude.
* Keeping a gratitude journal.
* Record times you’ve received grace, or good things you enjoy.
* Write down people you are grateful for.
*Or even things about yourself that you consider positive attributes.
3. Fake it.
Try smiling, even if you don’t feel it. Sometimes your emotions will catch up if you give them a chance. Act appreciative, even when you are not feeling it. The responses you get may change your attitude to one of gratitude.
4. Get in Nature
Take a walk outdoors. Pause to observe what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Filling your senses can help cultivate gratitude and foster a deeper appreciation for life and the world around you.
5. Pray with Gratitude
Let’s not cause God to grow weary of hearing our complaints, fears, and requests when we pray. Start your prayers with “Thank you God…” instead of “Please God…”.
Did you wake up? Were you in a safe place with a warm bed? Do you have food to eat, clothes to wear, shoes, hot water, people who care about you, a job, transportation? Be grateful for what you have. We serve a generous God who meets our needs.
As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” If you have a habit of worrying, take steps today to reform your thinking.
Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Bio Teresa Burgess MS, RN
www.RNByline.com
Teresa is an experienced nurse writer with over 40 years of work around healthcare advocacy and patient education. She writes spiritually healing health and wellness content for publications whose mission is to educate, inspire, and advocate for their readers. As a person with a currently incurable neuromuscular disease, she particularly enjoys writing for those who suffer from a physical challenge, emotional conflict, or spiritual turmoil. She is a Christian, wife, mother, and grandmother.
