We have just entered Thanksgiving month!
Rather than limiting gratitude to one day, I want to focus the next several weeks on learning to be grateful as a year-round lifestyle. While we may be aware that we feel better emotionally when expressing gratitude, we may not really think about how far-reaching the bene. ts
are. Gratitude reduces stress! It’s no secret that stress can negatively impact physical health, but research shows that an “attitude of gratitude” can be a successful antidote to unavoidable external stress. Grateful people who perceive gratitude as a lifestyle rather than a temporary state of mind have an advantage over ungrateful, habitual complainers.
Grateful people take better care of themselves. An attitude of thankfulness has been linked to better hormone balance, immune function, and decreased rates of disease. (Proverbs 12:25; 17:22): “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad…a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Because we live in a sin-broken world, it seems easier to step into the trap of thinking “if only I had…or “if only I didn’t have to deal with ___ I’d be happy.” But this mindset is always a bottomless pit of dissatisfaction. Because the devil wants to steal, kill and destroy, and because we are affected by the sin in our world, we tend to default to negativity more easily even when we’ve determined to cultivate gratitude.
Our choice to make gratitude a habit must be intentional, even
when emotions are sad, or circumstances are dif. cult. (Psalm
100:4-5): “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…give thanks to Him…because the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.”
A daily list is a great tool for cultivating a grateful attitude and keeping the focus on blessings rather than on real or per-
ceived lack. Adding to the list . rst thing in the morning sets
a positive and cheerful tone for the day. (Philippians 4:5-7): “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything…through prayer with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, and God’s peace…will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Martha Washington said, “I’m determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation. I’ve learned from experience that most of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, not our circumstances.” Intentional kindness to others helps encourage gratitude in our own situation. (Colossians 3:17): “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
God designed humankind and knows best what destroys or makes us successful: Proverbs 15:13, 15: A joyful heart makes a face cheerful…a sad heart breaks the spirit. All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Romans 1:20-23: From the creation of the world His invisible attributes…have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. Therefore, people are without excuse, for they knew God but did not glorify Him…or show gratitude.
Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened…” Colossians 3:13-15: “The Lord has forgiven you, now you also must forgive. Over all, put on love…and let the peace of the Messiah…control your hearts. Be thankful!”
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18: “See to it that no one repays evil for evil…always pursue what is good for all. Rejoice always!
Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
In. nite Grace Ministries offers Biblical instruction for spiri- tual and emotional growth through the development of gratitude. This brings healing to individuals and families torn by the addictions and relational death caused by a self-focused life in a sin-broken world. Emotional and spiritual maturity is costly and valuable. Immaturity is costly and destructive.
Call 580-774-2884 for your personal appointment!
