November 27th, 2024
What if I told you I had a supplement that would improve vision, promote heart health, enhance energy and alertness, and benefit overall mental health? And, what’s more, what if I added that it’s completely free? It’s a no-brainer, right? All of us would want to take that supplement!
Interestingly, science is increasingly supporting a fact we as Christians were already aware of – gratitude is good for you. Listen to a physician from Mayo Clinic:
The Bible declares, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). The Psalmist adds, “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1). Neurological science has discovered that something happens in our brains when we are grateful, making us happier and healthier. It’s almost as if we were created to give thanks!
Daily gratitude is like taking a health supplement, only better. It benefits us in many ways, and spreads health and positivity to others around us too. Consider a few of the “health benefits”:
Gratitude clarifies insufficient and blurry vision. Do you remember your mother telling you to eat your carrots because they will help your eyesight? Gratitude is like carrots when it comes to our spiritual vision. When we’re not thankful, we tend to focus on the things we don’t have. We aren’t content. We’re like Ahab, the king of Northern Israel, who focused on the one vineyard he couldn’t have, instead of all the things he already owned (see 1 Kings 21). We don’t want to have blurry vision. We want to see clearly. As we give thanks to the Lord, and “forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2), we quickly realize we have so much to be thankful for, and our vision is clear once again.
Gratitude warms a cold and stony heart. Psalm 86:12 reads, “I give thanks to you, O Lord My God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Thanksgiving is an activity of our “whole heart,” exercising that spiritual muscle so that it stays warm toward God and others. People who give thanks to the Lord are much more open to helping others. Gratitude softens our hearts to do what’s well-pleasing in God’s sight.
Gratitude quickens reflexes and promotes alertness. Giving thanks is like taking B vitamins regularly. While B vitamins help us with physical energy, gratitude gives us spiritual energy and alertness. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” As Christians, we want to be watchful. We want to be prepared. We don’t want to miss opportunities to minister. And we want to be ready for Jesus’ return. So we should be thankful!
Gratitude helps to stabilize and guard mental health. Have you thought about Philippians 4:6-7 lately? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Gratitude is not the “one-size-fits-all” solution for those who struggle with mental illness, but it is certainly part of a healthy lifestyle. As stated earlier, gratitude has helped those with major depressive disorder, anxiety, and even PTSD.[2] For the Christian, a proper orientation of our hearts and minds in gratitude to God results in the experience of the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Many of us are quick to give thanks this time of year, but we should make it a priority year-round. You could keep a daily thanksgiving journal, add “thankful exercises” to your routine, regularly write “thank-you” notes to people in your life that have been a blessing, or make a “thanksgiving jar” for your family. Whatever the method, disciplining yourself to give thanks will not only help you fulfill God’s will, but also produce other benefits as well. Gratitude is good for you!
[1] Logan, Amanda, “Can Expressing Gratitude Improve Mental Health?” https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health
[2] Morin, Amy, “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude”, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude?eml
Interestingly, science is increasingly supporting a fact we as Christians were already aware of – gratitude is good for you. Listen to a physician from Mayo Clinic:
“Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. If a pill could do this, everyone would be taking it. Simply stated, gratitude should be practiced daily — just as you'd take that magic pill if it existed.”[1]
Daily gratitude is like taking a health supplement, only better. It benefits us in many ways, and spreads health and positivity to others around us too. Consider a few of the “health benefits”:
Gratitude clarifies insufficient and blurry vision. Do you remember your mother telling you to eat your carrots because they will help your eyesight? Gratitude is like carrots when it comes to our spiritual vision. When we’re not thankful, we tend to focus on the things we don’t have. We aren’t content. We’re like Ahab, the king of Northern Israel, who focused on the one vineyard he couldn’t have, instead of all the things he already owned (see 1 Kings 21). We don’t want to have blurry vision. We want to see clearly. As we give thanks to the Lord, and “forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2), we quickly realize we have so much to be thankful for, and our vision is clear once again.
Gratitude warms a cold and stony heart. Psalm 86:12 reads, “I give thanks to you, O Lord My God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Thanksgiving is an activity of our “whole heart,” exercising that spiritual muscle so that it stays warm toward God and others. People who give thanks to the Lord are much more open to helping others. Gratitude softens our hearts to do what’s well-pleasing in God’s sight.
Gratitude quickens reflexes and promotes alertness. Giving thanks is like taking B vitamins regularly. While B vitamins help us with physical energy, gratitude gives us spiritual energy and alertness. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” As Christians, we want to be watchful. We want to be prepared. We don’t want to miss opportunities to minister. And we want to be ready for Jesus’ return. So we should be thankful!
Gratitude helps to stabilize and guard mental health. Have you thought about Philippians 4:6-7 lately? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Gratitude is not the “one-size-fits-all” solution for those who struggle with mental illness, but it is certainly part of a healthy lifestyle. As stated earlier, gratitude has helped those with major depressive disorder, anxiety, and even PTSD.[2] For the Christian, a proper orientation of our hearts and minds in gratitude to God results in the experience of the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Many of us are quick to give thanks this time of year, but we should make it a priority year-round. You could keep a daily thanksgiving journal, add “thankful exercises” to your routine, regularly write “thank-you” notes to people in your life that have been a blessing, or make a “thanksgiving jar” for your family. Whatever the method, disciplining yourself to give thanks will not only help you fulfill God’s will, but also produce other benefits as well. Gratitude is good for you!
[1] Logan, Amanda, “Can Expressing Gratitude Improve Mental Health?” https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health
[2] Morin, Amy, “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude”, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude?eml
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