When was the last time you expressed gratitude for your current circumstances?
Gratitude is not a new trend or fad that marketers or influencers are using to boost sales. It’s a sincere method of appreciating the little things in life so that you can concentrate on the greater picture.
What is gratitude?
Webster defines it as the state of being grateful : THANKFULNESS.
Why should we be thankful?
1. It’s a biblical command.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17
Gratitude (charis), which is also known as grace or appreciation in the original Greek, is an expression of favor or goodwill. Eucharisteo, the Greek word for “giving thanks,” implies “to be grateful, feel thankful, or give thanks.” Gratitude shows kindness to the one who gives. Being grateful recognizes the kindness we have been given. Everything we do should be done with grateful praise in the name of the Lord Jesus, so that it may be said as of Mary’s anointing of Jesus, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3).
According to James 1:17, the Father of God is the source of all good and perfect gifts. If we genuinely believe this, we will know who deserves our gratitude and why it becomes a perspective that expresses our confidence in God. A heart full of gratitude shows trust.
2. Gratitude significantly influences your mood, outlook, and overall well-being.
Practicing gratitude helps you to change your focus from unpleasant feelings and experiences. Rather, you start concentrating on positive aspects that you might have missed.
The immediate results are a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in mood. Regular thankfulness practice will help to train your brain to be more prone to experiencing gratitude in the future.
Multiple scientific studies show that gratitude can improve your mood, it makes sense that it can also benefit your overall well-being.
A positive mindset can enhance mood and lead to numerous benefits in various aspects of life, like: improved sleep, better focus, better self-esteem, improved patience, improve relationships, etc.
When people are thankful, they are more likely to take better care of their health, exercise, and eat healthier.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:23
“Experiencing gratitude activates neurotransmitters like dopamine, which we associate with pleasure, and serotonin, which regulates our mood. It also causes the brain to release oxytocin, a hormone which induces feelings like trust and generosity which promotes social bonding, and feeling connected.” – Amy E. Keller, PSYD
How does one practice gratitude?
Practicing gratitude daily can reduce stress and anxiety, according to therapists, and is linked to increased happiness.
One suggestion is to keep a gratitude journal and list three to five things that you’re grateful for that day.
Another suggestion is to pay attention, identify things you take for granted, and take a moment to be thankful for them.
Remember to take into account acts of kindness and experiences that may appear modest, ordinary, or unimportant. Here are a few instances to give thanks for:
- The cup of tea or coffee you drank this morning
- The home you live in
- The food to eat in your home
- Your family
- Your friend that texted or called to check in on you
- The friendly customer at the store
- The fresh air you breathe
- That smile from a stranger
- A friendly wave or greeting
- His Salvation through Christ Jesus
I like think of these as little love nuggets from God. Sometimes they come just when I need them most.
God has given us the greatest gift – His Son, who died on the cross and rose again for us to know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Although we are separated from God due to sin (Romans 3:10, 23), God loves us and wants us to be part of His family forever. He loves us so much.
Have you given Jesus Christ a place in your heart? If not, offer a brief prayer of trust and repentance to Him, and express your gratitude for everything that He has done for you. If you are a follower of Christ, when was the last time you gave thanks to God for saving you? We ought to express our gratitude to God every day for His kindness and mercy shown to us in Jesus Christ.
Everyone has a difficult path to travel, even when they are surrounded by friends or family, there are moments when it seems like no one cares or understands. Remember that kindness and compassion, no matter how small, can make a difference in someone’s life (Jude 1:22). It could just be the thing that turns their frown into a smile.
Remember to be strong and courageous in your journey because the Lord, if you’ve accepted Him as your Savior, is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
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This year, as we journey through Scripture looking for things for which we can be grateful, let’s remember that every day can be a day of thanksgiving as long as we look for those golden nuggets from the Lord.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:19-20
Have you experienced the joy of having a personal relationship with God?
If you would like to know more, please send me a message. I would be happy to help.
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My hope is that as you write down God’s promises this month; you will sense His presence all around you—within you, beside you, all around. I pray that you will always be aware of His presence.
Melissa Smith
You can download a copy here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SJ-January.2024.pdf
References:
- 1. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/why-gratitude-necessary-believers.html
- 2. https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
- 3. https://billygraham.org/story/how-to-be-thankful-in-all-things/
