10 Wonderful Reasons Gratitude is Good for You

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If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Do you want to know something funny?

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons.

Seriously, it’s that good for you!

10 Wonderful Reasons Gratitude is Good for You

 

Gratitude will make you happier.

You choose . . . appreciative or dissatisfied. I know which one can tank my mood in a heartbeat.

“Feeling and expressing gratitude turns our mental focus to the positive, which compensates for our brains’ natural tendency to focus on threats, worries, and negative aspects of life.” ~Psychology Today

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Gratitude will help you enjoy better relationships.

People enjoy the company of happy grateful people. Think about it. Who would prefer to spend your time with . . . someone who is happy and thankful or someone who grumbles and complains.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~Albert Schweitzer

Gratitude will help you succeed at work.

People work harder if their efforts are appreciated and bosses are more likely to encourage employees who acknowledge their positive leadership.

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” ~Wilferd A. Peterson

Gratitude will make you more optimistic and hopeful.

People who are thankful have a better attitude about the future. As they enjoy and appreciate what they have, grateful people tend to worry less and look at life through a positive lens.

“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Gratitude will increase your empathy and a willingness to help.

People who are thankful for what they tend to notice those who are less fortunate and are more inclined to offer help.

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” –Henri Frederic Amiel

Gratitude will make you more satisfied.

When you are thankful for what you have you end up being less concerned about what you don’t have.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie

Gratitude will make you more resilient.

Grateful people get over setbacks and disappointments more quickly than those who are unappreciative.

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.” ~Steve Maraboli

Gratitude will lower your stress levels and make you less anxious.

Thankful people worry less. Celebrating what is going well in life helps them think less about the things that could potentially go wrong.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

Gratitude will help you forgive.

People who are thankful for and celebrate God’s gift of forgiveness, let go of the past and learn from it, forgive others more easily, and have the strength to move on.

 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

If you wanted, you could almost make gratitude a priority for purely selfish reasons. Seriously, it's that good for you! These 10 reasons to show you how.

Gratitude will make you more attractive.

Thankful people smile more. Enough said!

“Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich

10 wonderful reasons to be grateful.

So, what are you waiting for?

Thank God..

  • for His love.
  • for His grace and mercy.
  • for His faithful forgiveness.
  • for His provision.
  • for peace, hope, joy, patience, strength, and…

Thank your spouse…

  • for the little things they do.
  • for their love.
  • for their forgiveness.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for the blessings they bring to your family.

Thank you children…

  • for helping.
  • for being kind.
  • for making good choices.
  • for making you laugh.
  • for being a blessing to your family.

Thank your friends, your boss, your neighbors, and yes, even the stranger who helps you. You’ll be surprised at how much gratitude will bless you.

Here are a few simple ways to say “thank you.”

I appreciate your help.
I love the way you do that.
Thank you, that really made me happy.
Thank you for being there when I needed you.
That was wonderful. Thank you.
That was amazing. You bless me.

Okay, now it’s your turn…

What’s your favorite way to say “thank you?”

When has saying “thank you” been a huge blessing?

What’s your best reason for saying “Thank you?”

Now take a few minutes and before you show your gratitude to anyone else, tell God just how thankful you are for who He is and all He does.

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

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11 Comments

  1. All the guys with white coats and clipboards would say amen (or whatever they say in the lab) to your words, Deb. I was just reading an article in a magazine giving all kinds of stats about the positive effects of gratitude. It’s even better when we realize that we are thanking a holy, wonderful, and loving PERSON for all those blessings!

  2. Deb- thank you for reminding me to be grateful! Even though hard times come, we can always be grateful:-) Love you xoxo

  3. I don’t think I have a particular way to express thanks to others, but I do it often. And I’m especially grateful to God for all His blessings, always and everywhere.
    Deb, I’m keeping a gratitude journal, too. Such fun!
    Blessings!

  4. I’ve come to recognize that most times that I feel out of sorts or down in the dumps it is when I have fallen away from giving thanks each day…The Lord knows we need this!!

  5. Deb- I want gratitude! I’m going to make an intentional choice to practice it more!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Julie

  6. What a sweet surprise! Thank you for featuring my post, Deb! And alongside Crystal … beyond humbled. She blesses me so much. Her words always overflow with hope.

    This post … oh my stars! I have been calling gratitude and laughter weapons against the hurt of this world. Weapons against fear, depression, anger, bitterness, hopelessness … Your 10 reasons affirmed my thoughts completely! Love it! Can’t wait to share this next week on Facebook along with the #GratefulHeart Series Marva and I are doing!

  7. Thanks Deb! Great reasons and I would add “enhance your cognition/thinking”. As a nurse teaching others about their mind and memory wellness, I love sharing how a grateful, positive outlook can help our mind think more clearly! Thanks for the wonderful post and all you do!

  8. Thanks so much Deb! You know, I think you have been blogging so long, you have probably covered every subject….I’m so passionate about gratitude! Thanks for joining Fresh Market Friday and for featuring my post! Sweet surprise:)

  9. Amen!! I have my own list and this is a great one! it’s just so darn good for us and I forget and complain instead!

  10. Tiffany Parry says:

    Gratitude is a game changer that’s for sure. I know it’s been a sign of healing in my life – that I can be grateful for some difficult seasons because of what God has taught me in the end. And it makes me more attractive? I’m in! 🙂

  11. We can always find things to be thankful for, can’t we? We just have to look for it. Whatever we look for, we will find. If we want to just sit and complain, we will find things to grumble about. If we choose to be thankful, we will find things to be grateful for. Thanks for this reminder! And thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.