How do I know if I’m thankful? How do I cultivate thanksgiving?

(1) Give attention 

The things most familiar to us are usually the things we think about the least. We begin to take them for granted. A friend, a spouse, our children. Our work, home, city. Health, nature, resources. Taking a moment to watch a snowfall or to listen to your children. Taking a moment to reflect back on your day before bed and praying. Giving our attention to these things and more, in these ways and more, can bring back to our mind and keep before our mind, the goodness of God towards us.  

(2) Give thanks 

In addition to giving attention, taking action and practicing thanksgiving can go a long way in cultivating an attitude of thanksgiving. Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. If our heart is filled with grumbling, our mouth will be, too. But if with thanksgiving, our mouth will give testimony. The reverse is true, also. Learn to say “thank you” to your spouse often, to encourage your children, to praise what you enjoy, to celebrate what others accomplish, and your heart will be abundantly filled.    

(3) Give care

When our children (or we adults!) haven’t picked up their toys, clothes, or belongings after a while, we think and say they’re not grateful for what they have.  

We can tell how thankful we are by how well we handle and care for what we have. 

If I’m thankful for my finances, I’ll handle them well. If I’m thankful for my health, I’ll take care of it well.  If I’m thankful for my time, I’ll steward it well. If I’m thankful for my wife and my children, I’ll love them well, in thought, word, and action.  

If I’m thankful for the church God has given me to pastor, I’ll shepherd them well. If I’m thankful for my relationship with God, I’ll guard it well. If I’m thankful for the gift of preaching, I’ll use it well. 

This is perhaps the greatest proof of thankfulness: whatever I’m thankful for, I learn to take care of; whatever I take care of, I learn to be thankful for.