Give thanks with Your Whole heart

Psalm 138:1 (NLT) I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.

The Heart is the the seat of the decision, emotion, and action. Let’s start with that understanding.

Here’s a simple tool using TAH as an acronym to help remember how to give thanks, feel grateful, and show appreciation.

TAH: A Tool for Thankfulness

T – Talk to God: Decide to ask God

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1

Begin by asking God what He wants you to feel gratitude for today. Make it a habit to start your time of reflection or prayer by inviting God to reveal His blessings.

What do you want me to feel gratitude for today?

Deciding to talk to God and ask what to be grateful for opens your heart and mind to recognizing blessings you might otherwise overlook.

A – Accept and Feel Gratitude

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Follow your thoughts and emotions. When you recognize what God or others have done, you will feel gratitude in your heart. Allow yourself to pause and reflect on these blessings.

 Feeling gratitude is more than just thinking about blessings—it’s about letting those feelings grow within you, creating joy and peace. You need to feel the emotion of gratefulness. You can train yourself to more easily do this, but discipline takes time and realize you might not get to that place naturally, but you will get to it more easily with practice.

H – Honor God or Others with Appreciation

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” — Hebrews 13:15

Show appreciation by expressing thanks through words or actions. If your gratitude is toward God, flow naturally into praise and worship. If toward others, express your thanks directly. You might need to purpose to show them appreciation—in a way they recognize as appreciation (see Proverbs 27:14 ) —at a time that’s more appropriate than the moment.

Showing appreciation solidifies gratitude. Praise honors God; thankfulness builds relationships with others.

What to learn more about giving thanks with your whole heart?

Here’s some Bible Verses to help you get started.

Decide to give thanks

Psalm 9:1 – “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”
Psalm 30:12 – “that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
Psalm 35:18 – “Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.”
Psalm 44:8 – “O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.”
Psalm 69:30 – “Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 86:12 – “With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever”
Psalm 92:1 – “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.”
Psalm 105:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”
Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:21 – “I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!”
Isaiah 12:4 – “In that wonderful day you will sing: ‘Thank the Lord! Praise his name!’”

Feel Gratitude

Colossians 3:16 (NIV) – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Show Appreciation

1 Corinthians 16:18 (NLT) – “They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.”

Showing appreciation to God is naturally praise.

Psalm 9:1 (NLT) – “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”
Psalm 18:3 (NLT) – “I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”
Psalm 34:1 (NLT) – “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.”
Psalm 44:8 (NLT) – “O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.”
Psalm 63:3 (NLT) – “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!”
Psalm 104:33 (NLT) – “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!”
Psalm 145:2 (NLT) – “I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.”
Isaiah 12:1 (NLT) – “In that day you will sing: ‘I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me.’”
Jeremiah 20:13 (NLT) – “Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For though I was poor and needy, he rescued me from my oppressors.”