“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” (Ps 95:2-3)

Being grateful isn’t something that comes naturally. We’re inherently selfish and focused on ourselves. We don’t always feel thankful. There are a lot of bad things happening in this world, and it’s sometimes hard to figure out how to be thankful in the midst of them.

Learning to be grateful takes practice. When faced with a trial or an unexpected bump in the road, my first thought is never how thankful I am for the difficulty or inconvenience. How I wish it were! Turning my mind from my struggles and onto the things for which I’m thankful allows me to grow closer to God and to receive physical and psychological benefits.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of grateful is to be “appreciative of benefits received.” How can we learn to recognize those benefits and express gratitude more freely? What are some ways we can practice gratitude so that it becomes a natural expression of the thankfulness we feel for the blessings God has given us?

1. Write down your thoughts.

I keep a gratitude journal, albeit inconsistently. Starting my day off by writing down one thing that I’m thankful for that day creates an attitude of thankfulness that I carry with me throughout the day. When I don’t take time to write in my journal, I find my thoughts straying more quickly to negative things.

I’ve written before about keeping a gratitude journal. There’s not a right or wrong way to do it. I write down one thing each day for which I’m grateful, and then I write out a prayer of thanksgiving for that person, thing, or event. The act of writing solidifies the idea of thanksgiving in my mind, and it provides a sense of balance to my day even when life seems out of control.

2. Schedule time to focus on gratitude.

Our schedules are jammed packed, especially at the holidays. Take a few moments each day to focus on gratitude. Write in your gratitude journal in the morning to start your day on a positive note, or jot down something for which you’re thankful on a post-it note and display it where you can see it throughout the day. A visible reminder such as a note can help re-orient you during the day. Ending the day with a look back at all the things for which you’re thankful is also a great way to practice gratitude.

3. Be present.

Something I’ve struggled with over the years is being present. I spend a lot of time rehashing the past or planning for the future. I end up missing the present moment because I’m so focused on getting to the next one. The reality is, I can do only one thing at a time. When my focus is elsewhere, I miss what’s happening right in front of me.

How can we learn to be present? Take time to focus on those right in front of you. Instead of thinking of the next thing you want to say, focus on what the person in front of you is saying. Actively listen. Be aware of your thoughts and intentionally put them aside while you focus on the person you’re with or the things going on around you. When I walk my dog, I’m often focused on the podcast I’m listening to or reaching my step goal instead of spending time in the warm sunshine exploring God’s beautiful creation with Lilly. These are moments I don’t want to miss.

4. Show appreciation to others.

Say “thank you” and acknowledge others when they do something for you. Did your spouse take out the trash? Did your kids pick up their toys? Did your friend lift you up in prayer? In turn, doing something nice for someone else will increase your gratitude level.

5. Prayer.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We should begin our prayers with praise and thanksgiving. Prayer changes things, including a disgruntled attitude. Talk to God just as you would a friend standing in front of you. Praise him for the blessings you’ve received and turn your heart toward him in gratitude.

All the other tips in this post tie to prayer: write down your prayers if it helps you focus, schedule time to talk to God, be present when you do, and show appreciation for all he has done. If you’re like me, you’ll notice an improvement in your attitude and a shift in your perspective when you express your gratitude to the one from whom all blessings flow.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the chance to practice gratitude. Please turn my heart toward you and help me focus on the blessings in my life, not the trials. Show me how to be more thankful with each passing day. Amen.