To close this set of posts, Julie Lowe recommends two additional ways that we can foster a sense of gratitude in ourselves and in exhortation to others.
Expression. "Give voice to what is good and lovely in your life. Remind yourself and speak it out loud to others. Write it down; thank someone. The more we...express appreciation and gratitude, the more it takes root and deepens....[and] see what is good and... outwardly name it."
Service. "There is immense benefit to focusing on the needs of others. We all need to see the world outside of ourselves—a world that needs our care. To find satisfaction in caring well for others is deeply rewarding. It is loving others in ways that image Christ and makes him known. There are multitudes of ways to serve. To bring gifts, offer your time, or engage in acts of service (such as babysitting, yard work, an unexpected meal) to the disabled, elderly, disadvantaged, lonely, homeless, or overwhelmed parent serves Christ but also generates gratitude for what you already have. An awareness that others live with far less materially, and sometimes with far more suffering, brings greater perspective and remembering of what we do have."
If discontent starts to settle into your life, repent, come back to these posts, and remind yourself of how to be thankful to God for his care and provisions in your life.
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