10 Amazing Facts About Gratitude That Will Change Your Life

“Gratitude is our ability to see the grace of God, morning by morning, no matter what else greets us in the course of the day.” ~ Craig Barnes

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Thank you. Be grateful because it brings greatness to you. Give thanks for everything. Many of us were taught these things from early childhood days. And even though we are all grown up, we practice them still because it is the right thing to do, though we fall short at times.

So what if on the days that we fell short of giving thanks, we wake up the following morning with only the things we remembered to thank God for the day before? That’s sounds scary, right? Yes it does.

I’m not here to scare you though. The main highlight of today’s post is to share with you 10 amazing facts about gratitude that hopefully will change your life and to get you thinking differently about it.

1. Gratitude is our ability to see grace in action everyday

How often do we forget that we have the privilege of living in God’s creative architectural framework of life? We live, breathe and have our being through Him.

All that we have and ever hope to be is through His grace, favor and mercy towards us. Often times we fail to measure up to His established standards, yet through His merciful kindness, we are recipients of such amazing grace.

A powerful reminder of such grace in action is through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) which says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; v9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

We survive the storms of life not by our own strength or power but because of this all-surpassing power that comes to us from God through His grace.

2. Gratitude is the real treasure God wants us to find

The thought of gratitude being described as a real treasure to find is exceptional! There is a reason that He says in everything we are to give thanks, even when we are at our worst and is having a hard day.

You would not expect to find a gold mine at the end of the rainbow but just looking at the colors in it your day is already all the fairer and brighter. There is hope for a brighter day when there is gratitude in our heart, our thoughts and the words that we speak.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) it says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

3. Thanks is the highest form of our thought 

Think gratitude, you write it down. Speak gratitude and you live it. That is the powerful effect it has on the brain.

According to Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center, “If thankfulness were a drug, it would be the world’s best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every organ system.”

He believes that while the act of being thankful is not a substitute for proper medical diagnosis and treatment, Doraiswamy said it is certainly a strategy that can be used to enhance wellness.

Thankfulness is said to be linked to positive changes in the body and brain, hence I believe the reason why it’s the highest form of thought anyone could ever have.

4. The more you count your blessings and be thankful for them, the more you will net in profits (surplus)

Based on research this is a proven fact that the more you count your blessings and express thanks for them, the more you will witness increase in your blessings. Be appreciative of the ones through whom the blessing came. Make every blessing count no matter how small it may seem.

In the process of doing so, avoid being excessively concerned with the acquisition of wealth and material possessions which you have accumulated, but  rather give your undivided attention to spiritual, intellectual or cultural values.

Research has shown that people who are materialistic have low levels of life satisfaction and well-being, hence they lack gratitude.

5. By acknowledging the good you already have, you are building a strong foundation for abundance

You must constantly remind yourself that what you already have is pretty awesome. By giving thanks and showing appreciation to the giver of that good gift, you are laying blocks to a solid foundation packed with greatness and abundance.

Gratitude has the ability to transform a simple ordinary day into a harvest of thanksgiving. A routine day’s job can be turned into one of joy and an ordinary opportunity can turn out to be your greatest blessings.

Building this type of foundation can reap a lifetime of reward. See it as the currency with having no limits to what amount you can spend

6. When life gets sour, the best sweetener for it is gratitude

Let’s face it, life can be hard! The truth is it’s not always going to be pretty with a bed of roses to sleep on! So when life hits you with sour, smack sour out of life with your best vocal expression of gratitude.

According to leading gratitude researcher and psychologist Robert A. Emmons, of the University of California, Davis, a good way to increase your feelings of gratitude is to embrace the setbacks you experience in life.

In a study conducted by Emmons and another well-known psychologist Michael E. McCullough in 2003, showed there were better results with the group that counted their blessings versus those who dwelt on their burdens.

By all means be grateful for every trial that comes your way as these are what makes us stronger and promotes growth in our lives. We are made better and not bitter by staying focused and keeping a positive attitude.

Gratitude is definitely the key to a happier life.

7. Gratitude increases optimism and totally removes pessimism

Learning the art of gratitude and applying that healthy habit is not that easy for everyone. But having a mindfulness about gratitude each day will definitely allow for optimism to increase by you giving thanks every time a negative thought pops up in your mind.

After a while everything comes naturally and you are at peace with yourself and whatever comes your way.

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” ~ Charles Dickens

8. Gratitude is the coping mechanism that allows you to be in the present and stay in your vibration

Life can be chaotic and filled with uncertainties at times but rather than dwelling on those things or even your past thinking about all that didn’t go right for you, dwell on gratitude and see yourself flowing in the present and in your positive vibration.

People can be mean and nasty. However you must never let the negativity or the harm that others may do to you cause you to become angry, bitter or unforgiving. What you do instead is give thanks, and turn the other cheek. Give them your best smile or even a hug.

It was Abraham Hicks who once said, “Because others cannot vibrate in your experience, they cannot affect the outcome of your experience.” He further said, “A million people could be pushing against you, and it would not negatively affect you unless you push back, They are affecting what happens in their experience. They are affecting their point of attraction – but it does not affect you unless you push against them.”

So don’t sweat the small stuff! Give thanks because with every tick of the clock, life is changing and so will your blessings that will likely change along with it. Appreciate all that you have and enjoy them now and in the present.

9. There’s a far greater blessing for being thankful for your haters than there is always being thankful for family and friends

Far too often in our prayers in our request for blessings to be invoked and even in our giving back, we focus on our family and friends forgetting one simple biblical principle that tells us to bless our enemies and to pray for those who spitefully use us and say all manner of evil about us falsely.

There is no doubt that you need those very people who can’t stand you in their life. They are the key to getting you to your next level in life. The thing is the more they hate on you, bless them in return and thank God for them then see how much God is ready and willing to bless you in their midst.

The Psalmist David knew that better than anyone else when he wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup [of blessings] overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ~ Psalm 23: 5-6

Related post: Gratitude Begins Where The Feeling of Entitlement Ends

10. A mind focused daily on gratitude sees significance in everything and takes nothing for granted

What makes the difference between a privilege and entitlement is gratitude. None of us are entitled. The idea is to practice humility alongside gratitude and remember that whatever we have, or the opportunities that present themselves to us are considered privileges.

Take no circumstances for granted. Count them all as significant even if at first you do not get the full understanding of what it is all about.

The people whose lives connect with yours are just as important. According to this Wall Street Journal article it shows that thanking even the persons [employees] who work for you can make you a better leader. The truth is you never know – the person you took for granted and did not show your appreciation or even said thank you to, might be the very one that you need tomorrow.

Conclusion

Think about your life right now and picture yourself how blessed you really are. Consider yourself fortunate. Give thanks for all the blessings.

As my elders used to sing, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise what the Lord has done.”

I pledge to live my life each day by maintaining an attitude of gratitude and oust the attitude. My prayer is that you join me in this cause.

Here are my questions to you:

How has gratitude affected your life? What are some of the things that you are most grateful for today?

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