Unlocking Gratitude When Your Heart’s Hurting

Unlocking gratitude can be nearly impossible when your heart’s hurting. If you’re struggling in an area of your life, it might be hard to muster up gratitude.

Every day, we wake up to a new dawn. A fresh start. But some days, it’s harder to feel the warmth of that sunrise, isn’t it?

The burdens of life weigh heavy on our hearts and gratitude can seem like a distant melody, barely audible over the chaos of our daily lives.

Yet, dear friend, I want you to know that even when your heart’s hurting, there’s a way to unlock gratitude.

Pinterest makes it seem so easy with advice and solutions that forget that you’re struggling. It can be difficult to feel positive enough to write down things that fill your heart with gratitude.

If you’re honest, your heart might be locked up and not feel the tiniest bit of gratitude today.

The key lies in faith, family, and home. These are the pillars that support us, the constant in our ever-changing world. When we’re feeling low, it’s these three things that can rekindle the spark of gratitude within us.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

1. Unlocking Gratitude with Faith

Faith is our guiding light in the darkest times. It’s the reassuring voice that tells us, “You’re not alone.” When you’re struggling to find gratitude, turn to Jesus. Pray, meditate on some verses, or just sit in silence and feel God’s presence. You’ll be surprised at how it can fill your heart with a sense of thankfulness.

Whenever life has been especially trying, the thought of unlocking gratitude has me in knots. My brain is listing off my complaints. This is an extremely difficult mindset to change.

It’s during times like these that turning to Jesus and honestly pouring out your heart is the only way.

Maybe your family has failed you and you.

Or you’re uprooted from your home either temporarily or permanently.

Life has never seemed so devastating!

Even in the darkest of times, turning to Jesus is the only way. You simply (but it’s not so simple) have to decide that you’re going to have faith in the Lord through this struggle.

You’ll find hope in taking the following 4 steps to unlock your lack of gratitude:

• Pray and ask Jesus to UNLOCK GRATITUDE in your heart!
• Unlock all your negative thoughts. A LOT of self-talk is going on!
• Ask God to unlock your heart and help you feel gratitude!
• Choose gratitude and list 3 things that make you thankful! Each day!

Unlocking gratitude is really not a quick fix for deleting your problems from your life. It is a start and will help to replace those negative emotions that can rage through even the sweetest mom’s body.

Most of all, look to Jesus to work a miracle in your life as He unlocks gratitude and the hold it has on you.

2. Unlocking Gratitude with Your Family

Family is our safe haven. They’re our cheerleaders, our confidants, our source of unconditional love. When gratitude seems elusive, spend time with your family. Share stories, create memories, laugh, cry, and most importantly, love. You’ll find gratitude in the simplest of moments.

This is assuming that a member of your family is not causing your problems. If so, go back to Jesus and concentrate on Him and the suggestions for unlocking gratitude with faith.

Even if you’re going through some rough days (months or years) with your family, things can turn around for the better. When you start changing yourSELF and learning to do everything with a thankful heart, you will be amazed at how quickly you unlock gratitude.

Spending intentional time with your family can be the key.

Make your home a safe haven. Create an atmosphere by lighting some candles!

Go on a hike through the woods! Getting away from the mundane routine can change how everyone is interacting. It can be a bonding experience!

Play games with your kids or husband! Games can loosen people up so they talk, laugh, and enjoy each others’ company!

Go out to eat with your husband! Has it been a long time since you slowed down enough to treasure each other’s presence?

Go on an outing with just one of your children! That in itself can give your child the message that they are valued as an individual. It can open up communication!

Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7

3. Unlocking Gratitude with Your Home

Home isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling. It’s comfort, safety, and belonging. When you’re searching for gratitude, look around your home. Notice the warmth, the coziness, the memories etched in every corner. Acknowledge the peace it provides, and gratitude will follow.

Your home can be a haven where you not only unplug gratitude in your own heart but also in the hearts of your family members. I can guarantee that if you’re all plugged up with complaints instead of gratitude, so are they!

Watch this video for a more in-depth look at how you can unlock gratitude! Don’t forget to subscribe to my station!

Home Activities to Spark Gratitude:

• Your home can be a haven of gratitude if you cultivate it with intent. When you’ve unlocked gratitude it will cultivate an amazing transformation in your family. Be the first to set an example!
• Start by creating a Gratitude Wall where you and your family can post notes of things you’re thankful for.
• Crafting Time is another opportunity to create handmade items that symbolize your gratitude. This could be as simple as painting rocks with words of thanks or creating a gratitude jar.
• Family Dinners are not just about nourishment, they’re an opportunity to share and express gratitude for each other and the food that sustains you.
• A Gratitude Journal by your bedside can help you reflect on the day’s blessings before sleep.
• Lastly, introducing Praying The Scripture, can be done before supper to reflect on the day’s gifts from God.

These can become cherished family traditions that reinforce unlocking gratitude. These habits remind us that our homes are more than just buildings; they are a place where God is made first in our hearts and souls.