We usually think of giving thanks on this one day, but Thanksgiving is not just a day — it should be a daily practice.

A few years ago, I started to practice gratitude. And the very first day — the very first day — that I decided to practice gratitude, I went to grab my keys to head into work. My keys were gone. I remembered that I had put my keys in my son’s car the day before, and they were still in his car — and his car was up at the high school.

I had 45 minutes to get my keys and get into work. Not good. I picked a bad day to start practicing gratitude. How can I be thankful for this?

So I started: I’m thankful that I have a car. I’m thankful that I have a job. I’m thankful that my son has a car and that we have a good relationship. I’m thankful that I have friends, and I hope that one of them can come pick me up and take me to get my keys.

If I had not started practicing gratitude that day, I would have spiraled into anger for sure. I’m not the most positive person. Maybe you are — I hope so. But whether you’re a positive person or not, those who practice gratitude are 40% happier than those who don’t.

But aren’t we either thankful people or we’re not? Can we change that? Yeah, we can.

Our brains and our thoughts should not control us. Did you hear that? We are in control of our brains — unless we don’t think about our thoughts. Then our thoughts will control us, and our thoughts left uncontrolled are mostly negative.

Listen to what one author says: “The mind is a bottomless pit of desires, and automatic thoughts tend to dwell on life’s imperfections.” So he’s saying that we’re not naturally thankful — we have to work at it.

Why Should We Practice Gratitude?

1. It’s biblical.

I want to give two verses — but there are hundreds.

Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

We should give thanks because God has done good things for us. Haven’t you been blessed in many, many ways?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 challenges us in another way. It says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul tells us not to give thanks just for good things but for all circumstances — and that’s tougher.

2. Gratitude is good for our health.

Amit Sood says that a revved-up stress system increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, diabetes, addiction, depression, anxiety, cancer and death. Your physical health — and whether you are still alive in 10 years — depends on the quality of your thoughts today.

Gratitude, or the lack of gratitude, affects our health.

3. Thankful people are happier.

We’ve experienced so much negativity — COVID, the division we see in our world, the wars. We need more happiness. But the problem is our brains are not naturally happy. They’re discontent. We want that next promotion, that better grade in school, that bigger house, the new car, the latest style of clothes.

But if we practice gratitude, we’ll be up to 40% happier. We can learn to be content. Gratitude is being thankful for what we have right now.

One study asked college students to keep a journal, writing down five things they were grateful for. In just 10 weeks, these students had fewer health problems, felt better about life and were 25% happier. 10 weeks — that’s doable, isn’t it?

4. Gratitude is better for our relationships.

Research shows that those who practice gratitude are kinder. They’re able to encourage others and unselfishly love others.

But an unthankful heart might struggle in relationships — in marriage, with children, with neighbors and friends.

Here’s an idea that I’ve practiced. Our brains wake up anxious, so stop. Think of a couple of things that you’re thankful for. Think of big things like family and friends, but think of little things like toenail clippers, toothpaste. How about bread? Did you know that back when Jesus lived, it took three hours every night to make bread? Pray and thank God for these things as you jot them down in a journal.

Here’s another idea: reframe throughout the day. When something is hard, try to reframe it into something for which you can give thanks — like I did when I lost my keys.

Instead of complaining about a messy house, say, “I’m thankful that I have a house and family or friends that made it messy.”

Here’s the reframe that I’ve been practicing this week:

Last week we got a new puppy, and she’s as cute as can be. But like all puppies, she has accidents. She goes to the bathroom on the floor, and she chews everything. But instead of getting ticked off and saying, “Stupid dog,” I can reframe that: she’s only 12 weeks old. She’s learning. And she’s so much fun to play with. She brings us happiness.

But it’s hard, right? You see that smelly pile on the floor and the natural response is anger. I have to stop and reframe — “Thank you, Lord, that we have a new puppy.”

With practice, our attitude can change, and we can see the good even in tough circumstances. And we can begin to practice giving thanks in all circumstances.

Try it right now. Think of something that you’ve complained about in the last week and practice a reframe. What can you give thanks for?

And remember to be patient with yourself. Change does not come overnight. But the research is clear: those who practice gratitude have tons of benefits. They’re happier, have better health, they’re kinder and have happier friends.

It’s worth it to be thankful — not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day.

Watch Matt Williams in from the Biola University Center for Marriage and Relationships talk about gratitude.