How Gratitude Changes Everything About Your Home

Gratitude is one of those tricky things that I can so often forget about, but that is actually of utmost importance. I Thessalonians 5:16–18 says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The will of God?? Really? People are always wanting to know the will of God, and here it is! Plain as day! To rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. So if rejoicing and giving thanks—gratitude—is the will of God for us, then I’d say it’s pretty important and is worth a deeper look.

I believe that fostering gratitude in the home is a huge part of cultivating gratitude in your life. If you can foster gratitude at home, then it will impact your family and all else who enter. It will overflow from your home, reaching into your neighborhood, your job, and all other areas of your life.

As I thought about cultivating gratitude in the home, there are two results that gratitude has on our home and heart that stood out to me.

Gratitude Drives Out Discontentment

Gratitude makes what you have enough. It opens your eyes to the many gifts God has given you. Writing down and speaking aloud what you’re grateful for makes you realize that you are blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) and that God can and will completely satisfy you (Psalm 145:16).

These realizations will drive out discontentment in your home. When you see that what you have is enough, you won’t be coveting your neighbor’s new kitchen, the couch you can’t afford in the catalogue, or the clearance aisle at Target. When you allow Jesus to fulfill all your longings, you’ll feel far more content and fulfilled than after any shopping trip or remodel.

Gratitude Moves You to Generosity

Once you’ve seen that what you have is enough and Jesus alone will truly satisfy, you’ll be moved to generosity. When you view your home as something that God has given you to steward, you’ll be far more hospitable. You’ll be able to have open hands with the things that God has given you.

A grateful heart leads to a generous heart. Think about the most generous people you know… aren’t they the ones that are also the most grateful? Cultivating gratitude in our homes will result in more generous living, and ultimately, more Christ-like living. I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely something I long for!

What are some results that you have seen as you’ve fostered gratitude in your life and home?