Planting Seeds of Gratitude

The Bible says we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). One interesting thing about this principle is that it applies even to the decisions we make in our heart and the attitudes we adopt.

Very often the principle of sowing and reaping is talked about in the negative sense because many of us are unfortunately reaping a harvest of the judgments we planted during our childhood. We might not be consciously aware of these judgments, but we were hurt as kids, and we very likely reacted to that hurt by judging the parent who hurt us: 

“My dad was like this; therefore, all men are like this.”

“My mom was never satisfied with me when I was a kid. Women are bitter and judgmental—including my wife, because that’s just what women are like.”

Like a natural seed, a seed of judgment starts off small at the beginning. But it grows, and eventually it produces a harvest that is much bigger than the original seed.

Just as the principle of sowing and reaping works in the negative—it also works in the positive. In fact, good harvests tend to be bigger than negative ones (Rom. 5:10). The good seeds we plant produce harvests we actually want.

One of the best “seeds” we can plant is gratitude. When we plant seeds of gratitude, we will reap what gratitude produces.

A heart full of gratitude is a natural part of living in the freedom and truth of who you are as a child of God.

What Does Your Heart Need?

Science has proven that choosing to be thankful brings many benefits both physically and psychologically, including better sleep, stress reduction, the lifting of depression, and an increase of joy.

Think about what’s happening in the world right now. Wouldn’t you like to get better sleep? Wouldn’t you LOVE to feel less stressed and less afraid?

What all of us need is an increase of joy, and if gratitude can help us get there—then by all means, let’s start thanking the Lord for every single thing we can think of!

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16–18 TPT)

Gratitude’s Role in Holiness 

The act of gratitude is an essential part of a fruitful and productive life. Being grateful plays a significant role in the sanctification and transformation process, because when we are grateful, we are consciously and deliberately partnering with the beautiful things God is doing—both around us and inside us.

“God, thank You for redeeming me out of the darkness. I am not the person I used to be.” 

“Father, thank You that I don’t lash out in anger like I used to. I am still growing in this area, but it is so much better than it was.”

“Father, You healed me of this judgment I made against men, and my marriage is being restored.”

“You love me. I’m not just saying that—I know it is true. There was a time in my life when I didn’t know it was true, but I know it now. Thank You for what You have done in my heart.”

Being grateful solidifies the Father’s light and truth in our heart concerning who we are. 

Journaling Exercise 

Here is a way you can pray and journal this week. Go over the following questions, and write down what your faith says in reply.

Today I know the Lord is this for me:

 

Therefore, I am:

 

Today I choose to believe this about God:

 

Today I choose to believe this about myself:

 

Think of 20 things you are grateful for. They could be large or small things. Maybe you got a great parking spot at the grocery store today. Maybe you had a good sleep last night for the first time in days. Or maybe you have had a huge revelation about how much God has done for you and your family.

I am grateful for these things today:

 

Get Ready for a Large Harvest!

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom. 5:10 NIV)

Romans 5:10 is a Thanksgiving verse. If one seed of judgment produces a harvest, how much greater the harvest of one seed of gratitude!

Plant your seeds, and see what God does with them. Believe what He is saying about you and to you—and be thankful.

Much of this article is based on Elijah House’s Grassroots Gratitude journal. This journal will help you get to the root of WHY you are doing some of the negative things you do, and it will lead you into a series of defining moments with Jesus that will change you. Change really is possible, and as you change and grow, it will change the people around you. Click here to learn more!