You’re the best: How to Show Gratitude in Your Marriage

Last Updated on July 25, 2025 by Andrea

* As an affiliate, I may earn a small amount at no extra cost to you from qualifying purchases made from links at my website. Thank you for supporting my small business!

We needed to get a cat to the vet this week. She’s a stray and had been hanging around for a while so we need to get her spayed. We caught her in a big crate, but she needed to be in a smaller crate for travel. My sweet husband came home from work at 4 a.m. and took the time to transfer her to the smaller crate so I could take her to the vet. I was so grateful! That was one job I was not looking forward to. It was a simple way he could show me how much he cares. When he finally came to bed and told me the job was done, I was so grateful! That gratitude definitely led me to feel more marital satisfaction.

What causes feelings of gratitude in marriage?

Gratitude is often prompted by a variety of factors. Here are some common reasons why spouses experience feelings of gratitude:

1. Acts of kindness: When your spouse helps you, offers support or a thoughtful gesture, it often evokes a sense of gratitude. Small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on fostering gratitude in marriage. These seemingly small things have a very positive effect on marriage.
2. Accomplishments and milestones: Achieving personal goals, reaching milestones, or successfully overcoming challenges can spark feelings of gratitude. Recognizing our spouse’s efforts and the support received from him/her along the way can generate a genuine sense of appreciation.
3. Life experiences: Positive experiences and moments of joy can create a strong sense of gratitude. Experiencing beauty in nature, travel, art, or even simple everyday pleasures can cultivate a grateful mindset. This is one reason it’s important to engage in activities together – so you can have shared experiences…and they lead to gratitude. There are lots of external stressors in life so this one reminds us to focus on the beauty life brings, as well.
4. Adversity and resilience: Sometimes, going through difficult times can give rise to gratitude. Overcoming hardships, learning from tough situations, and gaining resilience can lead individuals to appreciate the strength they have developed. This relates to everyday challenges so look for that silver lining and express your gratitude!
5. Acts of service: Engaging in acts of service or helping others in need can generate gratitude. Being able to make a positive impact on someone’s life often leads to a deeper sense of appreciation for one’s own blessings. Any time your spouse does something to help you opens an opportunity for gratitude!

Effects of gratitude in marriage

Research shows that thoughtful gestures in marriage make the recipient feel both grateful and indebted to the other person. That feeling of indebtedness leads to that person doing something nice for the other. And the cycle of gratitude continues in a healthy marriage.

Studies also show that when we express gratitude our relationship satisfaction increases, as does our feelings of connection. So when we say thank you or express our gratitude some other way, we are strengthening our marital quality.

Can’t find anything to be thankful for?

I have those seasons in my marriage, too. It’s during those times that I remember a few things. First, I remember the importance of date nights. Often it’s on dates that I remember why I fell in love with my husband. Regular connection is a key ingredient in the everyday life of a successful marriage. Second, I take time in my daily life to think about what I really appreciate about my spouse. I keep a gratitude journal dedicated to my marriage. Using this tool helps me to be able to reflect over time on the positive emotions I’ve felt toward him. Sometimes that’s all I need to jumpstart the gratitude!

Remember that each marriage is filled with individual differences. He does things his way, you do things your way. When we remember to acknowledge our partner’s hard work, we look beyond ourselves to the heart of the other person.

How to show gratitude in marriage

While there are many meaningful ways to express gratitude, here are a few quick and easy ways to show gratitude. Positive marital outcomes are directly tied to gratitude, so have several strategies in your toolkit. Keep in mind that everyone has their own love language, so use a strategy best for your spouse. Here are some ideas for how to implement those love language strategies into concrete actions.

• Be kind!
• Say thank you
• Use a creative thank you
• Give a great kiss
• Make a meal he/she will love
• Phone calls to say thank you and share love
• Send a daily text
• Give a cupcake (my personal favorite)
• Tell others the great thing he/she did for you – public praise is very powerful!

Gratitude is often overlooked in our busy lives, but an attitude of gratitude goes a long way to a successful marriage. So do something for your spouse today and then thank them when they do something for you!

What expression of gratitude will you use with your spouse this week? Tell us in the comments!

Peace,

🌸 Andrea

Did you find this post interesting or helpful? If so, please share it – you can use the social buttons below.

When you share my post with your friends and family, you are helping spread God’s love. Thank you for partnering with me!