And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (CSB)

November is here, and that means Thanksgiving. Not only do we enjoy turkey, pumpkin pie, and football, but we take time to intentionally stop and give thanks.  Many people do a daily gratitude list during November. I am already seeing social media posts of people’s “Thankful Lists.” Some even post a picture of something they are thankful for each day. I love it! The act of stopping and acknowledging the good things makes our hearts lighter and brings joy to each day.

If you want to practice gratitude this month, I am sharing 10 ways to GIVE THANKS.

1. GIVE something to someone else.

One way to practice gratitude is to realize how blessed we are and share what we can with others. Maybe you pay for the person behind you at your favorite coffee drive thru. Or you send a handwritten note to someone you love. Or surprise someone with an unexpected gift. This doesn’t have to cost lots of money. It’s recognizing what we have and being willing to share it with others that often leads to a full and thankful heart.

2. INVITE someone to join you in giving thanks.

You and a friend could agree to send a text or picture of something you are thankful for each day. Or maybe you write a list and send a picture of the list before bed every night. Invite friends to lunch or coffee and tell them to come with three things they are thankful for and make that your topic of conversation. We want our gratitude to be contagious. It also keeps us accountable when we have someone doing it with us.

3. VOCALIZE thanks to those you encounter each day.

More than once, I’ve thanked a cashier or the staff at a medical office for being there and doing their job. When we look at those around us and all the ways they serve us, whether it’s a waitress, a healthcare worker, or a mechanic, we can stop and recognize people and thank them for the work they do. You will be surprised how many people break out in a big smile!

4. ELIMINATE complaining from your day-to-day life.

This is tough! It’s way easier to fuss about stuff than to look for the good, but we can intentionally turn our complaints into gratitude. Someone cut you off in traffic? Thank God it didn’t cause an accident, and pray they get to where they need to go safely. Your spouse or kids left the dishes for you to wash? Thank God you have dishes and a family to feed. I’m not saying this is easy, but we can replace our complaining with thanks.

5. TAKE time to write a gratitude list.

Grab a favorite notebook or start a new list on your phone’s Notes app and start counting the gifts each day. Yes, it takes time, but not all that much. You can do it at a certain time of day, or you can do it throughout the day. There are no rules to this but take time to write it down.

6. HANDWRITE Scriptures related to giving thanks.

Did you know that research suggests writing by hand may help with learning and memory? A 2024 study found that handwriting activates more extensive connections in the brain than typing. Do a Google search or open that concordance in the back of the Bible to find key Scriptures about gratitude. Search for “Thanks,” “Give Thanks,” or “Thankfulness.” Write as many as you like and then post them in prominent places where you can revisit them regularly.

7. ACCEPT difficulties with a grateful heart.

So often, we allow the hardships and challenges in our lives to breed fear and anxiety. What if we changed our perspective and looked for what God might be doing in the midst of those difficulties? We can ask God to help us give thanks in spite of the heartbreak. There are so many things we will never understand in this world. But we can thank God that He is always with us.

8. NOTICE things in nature.

We can get so wrapped up in our homes, work, and rushing to get the next thing done that we forget that our Creator made a big, beautiful world out there. There are leaves that change color, wild animals, and ocean waves. He even paints the sunrise and sunset each day. The more we notice God’s creation, the more we have to be thankful for—even the little things we often overlook.

9. KNEEL and pray—giving thanks.

We know we can pray anywhere and at any time, but something is humbling about bending the knee before God. I encourage you to take just 5–15 minutes, find a quiet place, and go low before the Lord and thank Him for your life, for saving you, and for His great mercy and love. Along with anything else that comes to mind. Kneeling to pray can be uncomfortable, but taking a moment to humble ourselves before God can help us cultivate gratitude and honor toward Him.

10. SET a reminder to give thanks each day.

Maybe your days are so busy that you forget to practice gratitude. Our phones make it so easy to set a reminder to stop and give thanks for what is in front of you.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be difficult; it just has to be intentional. I hope these 10 simple ways will help you recognize that there are many ways in our everyday lives to give thanks. And who knows, maybe you will take one or a few of these ideas with you after you are stuffed with turkey dinner and putting up Christmas decorations. Gratitude changes us, and Scripture tells us it is God’s will for us!

“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CSB)

Take time to give thanks!