Putting on a lens of gratitude

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness."
Isaiah 61:10 ESV

Many scriptures reference “putting on” or “being clothed” in different emotions or characteristics. To put is a conscious decision, an action, and just like we choose what clothing to wear, we also have the power to choose an attitude of gratitude.

It’s easy to lose our focus in the hustle of life, so, like our eyeglasses, we must make a conscious effort to put on a lens of gratitude first thing in the morning, and never leave home without it.

Losing glasses can be so frustrating. Have you ever stepped on them while trying to find them? For the visually impaired, it’s almost ironic—how can you find something you need to see to locate?

Reading without glasses can lead to misinterpretation, and driving without them risks danger. But when you finally find them, the relief is immense! Suddenly, the world sharpens, and you can smile, drive safely, and get on with your day.

So it is with our attitude. Distorted information leads to fear, and the resulting blurred mindset results in either stagnation or risk. Without a lens of gratitude, the world can be an overwhelming place. But when we actively search for gratitude as though we can’t function without it, when we intentionally focus on cultivating contentment in everyday circumstances, our life becomes manageable, even joyful.

A lens of gratitude helps you see the simple everyday pleasures that may go unnoticed or are quickly forgotten. Research has shown that gratitude ignites a burst of other benefits, especially when the gratitude is towards a higher power.

• • Feel happier
  • Deepen resilience
  • Boost immunity and heart health
  • Calm the nervous system
  • Make healthier choices
  • Stronger connections
  • Better communication

I know your to-do list is as long as the day is short. With so much demanding your attention, it’s easy to lose sight of the blessings. Today, I offer you a prescription to help you stay focused on gratitude, even when your life feels like a blur.

As you read, consider how to blend these habits into an existing daily routine, such as upon waking, during the lunch hour, or while getting ready for bed.

4 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude

Begin your day with intentional gratitude

The Lord’s mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:23)! Implement activities to put on your gratitude lens first thing in the morning and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Set a reminder to “search for joy,” or begin each day by praying aloud, “Thank you for this day and what it may bring.” Try anything that spotlights gratitude to light the path for the rest of the day.

What better way to set the tone for the day than by giving thanks to the One who gave you life!

Gratitude journaling

Put on your lens of gratitude by writing three reasons you are grateful. Recording our blessings makes them more tangible and it provides the opportunity to remember your many blessings when your gratitude lens gets lost.

Take a gratitude walk

If activity is your thing, a gratitude walk can be a joyful exercise in multi-tasking! Take a comfortable walk in your neighborhood or perhaps a favorite nature area, and focus on the beauty that you see in God’s creation. It’s even more impactful to verbalize it. (Perhaps hold your phone to your ear or put your earbuds in so no one calls the authorities!)

Focus on all five senses to be mindful about how you are practicing gratitude. Thank God for the breeze on your cheeks in the heat of the day. Notice and enjoy the soft feel of the grass after an afternoon rain. Is a groundskeeper taking out the trash? Thank them, because—trust me—your walk in the park would be quite different without their services.

Zoom in, focus on transforming your walk into a full sensory experience. Be intentional with what your senses take in. Voicing these appreciations out loud helps your mind and body truly take in the experience and provides personal time for active and focused reflection.

Consistently involve gratitude in prayer

"In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:6 ESV

Set aside a time in your prayer life to not only ask of the Lord, but to merely give thanks, further reinforcing the lens of gratitude while showing appreciation to God.

The PART prayer style may be helpful:

• Praise: Use His names and give Him the glory: “Almighty One! True Healer! Source of Life! Loving Savior!”
• Admittance: Personal confessions to the Lord
• Request: What we are asking of God
• Thanksgiving: Gratitude for our many earthly and spiritual blessings

* For more gratitude habit ideas, Ann Voskamp offers daily Joy Dares and free printables on her website.

At Christian Family Solutions, we also understand that sometimes life leaves us blind, unable to search for ourselves, or even know where or how to look. We are here to guide you. We recommend checking out our free online course, The Resilience Project, or contacting us to schedule an appointment.