It’s that time of year.
Your inbox and newsfeeds start filling up with articles about gratitude and thankfulness. But these life-transforming virtues aren’t just for Thanksgiving time.
Did you know that when your coaching clients cultivate a heart of gratitude, it sets them on a path to the flourishing life they desire?
At the Center of Christian Coaching, we often say that Christian Life Coaching is about transformation.
And transformed people flourish!
In this article, we’ll examine gratitude, its benefits, and how you can incorporate it into your Christian Coaching sessions so your clients can be all God created them to be!
Are Gratitude and Thankfulness the Same Thing?
Gratitude and thankfulness are both key values of a transformed life. They’re closely related but slightly different.
Thankfulness is a response to something. For example, in John 6:11, Jesus gave thanks before feeding 5,000 men plus women and children.
Gratitude is a state of being. It’s choosing to be thankful in all circumstances because we hope in a loving God. A heart attitude of gratitude isn’t dependent upon circumstances. The Scriptures are clear that we will have trouble in this world, yet gratitude allows us to be thankful – even when life is challenging.
How Gratitude Impacts Your Clients
The Bible is rich with verses and accounts about gratitude, and scientific research reveals that gratitude improves lives in nearly every way.
Dr. Robert Emmons is considered the world’s leading expert on gratitude. Dr. Emmons discusses the following benefits of gratitude in his book, “Gratitude Works!” He says, “All in all, science confirms that the life-giving practice of gratitude broadens our lives by enabling healing of the past, providing contentment in the present, and delivering hope for the future.”
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude:
· Increases physical energy
· Improves physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health
· Increases success in achieving personal goals
· Increases generosity and helpfulness
· Allows more refreshing sleep
· Provides a greater sense of purpose and resilience
· Provides greater resilience and ability to cope with stress
· Improves relationships
Coaching Questions To Ask Your Clients
As Christian Coaches, our role is to stay curious and ask thoughtful questions that help our clients glean insight about themselves. Insightful questions assist our clients in hearing from God so they can move forward in His plans and purposes for them.
Questions you can ask your clients regarding gratitude can include:
· How is your life different when you’re grateful to God?
· What is getting in the way of being grateful?
· How can you be grateful when life is hard?
· How can you cultivate gratitude in your life?
5 Ways Your Clients Can Cultivate Gratitude
There are unique spiritual benefits to being grateful and specifically giving thanks to God. 1 Chronicles 16:34 reminds us: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
1. Give thanks to God in prayer.
2. Start a Gratitude Journal.
3. Read the Psalms.
4. Be intentional about recognizing God’s mercies in everything.
5. Testify about His blessings.
Gratitude is an overflow of the Father’s love. We have the privilege of inviting our clients into His loving presence as Christian Life Coaches. Experiencing His presence leads to gratitude, which leads to a thriving Christian life.
If you would like to learn more about Christian Life Coaching, reach out to us at Center for Christian Coaching today. We look forward to talking with you!
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