Happy October, Friends!
This year, our attention has been on the various facets of gratitude, including definitions, types of gratitude, overcoming negative thoughts, and techniques for developing it.
This month, we’ll continue our focus on The Science of Gratitude.
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The Science of Gratitude – Part 2
Last month we learned that gratitude strengthens health, pleasure, and wisdom by embracing life’s unique aspects while improving relationships and decreasing unwanted behaviors. According to Robert Emmons, gratitude is associated with a personal benefit that was not intentionally sought after or deserved but rather due to the good intentions of another person.
Gratitude enhances brain neuroplasticity, producing “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin, balancing stress hormones, and promoting wellbeing. It reorganizes cognitive processes, shifts mindsets, strengthens neural pathways, and stimulates key brain regions. Regular practice can help the brain become more receptive to a positive mentality. Scientific evidence backs up the health benefits of cultivating gratitude.
The Bible and science agree that practicing gratitude regularly leads to happiness. Negative thinking stems from sin and evil, while gratitude fosters spiritual resilience. God values gratitude. Reflecting on your life can encourage gratitude. Jesus publicly expressed gratitude, teaching others to do the same. Research indicates that individuals who are more grateful generally lead happier lives.
The brain’s response when you practice gratitude
Researchers have demonstrated that gratitude stimulates the amygdala, regions of the brain associated with emotional processing, and hippocampus, regions of the brain associated with memory. These brain regions control the limbic system, which mediates many aspects of emotions and memory and the storage of long-term memories, spatial processing, and navigation.
Have you heard about the stress hormone? When you feel nervous, stressed, or afraid, your brain produces cortisol. Feelings of gratitude can regulate cortisol production in the brain, lowering anxiety and stress.
Gratitude causes the brain to release neurotransmitters and hormones associated with happiness, such as dopamine and serotonin. Low amounts of these hormones can result in depression. Regular gratitude practice can be a natural antidepressant since it promotes feelings of contentment and joy.
Everyone desires good cognitive function and the ability to learn, think, and recall. According to research, having a positive mentality is linked to creativity, open-mindedness, and effective thinking. Whether positive thinking promotes gratitude or gratitude triggers happy thinking, it is obvious that we should practice thankfulness as frequently as possible.
What are the elements of gratitude?
The essential elements of effectively practicing gratitude can be found in the following:
Appreciation: Regularly identifying and valuing the good things and individuals in your life.
Recognition: Expressing thankfulness and attentively observing life’s positive things.
Admiration: Respecting and praising other people’s abilities, talents, or accomplishments as well as your own
Adoration: Expressing your love and gratitude for the people and things in your life that provide you joy.
Gratitude may rewire the brain through neuroplasticity, reinforcing positive neural pathways and diminishing negative thoughts. Regular practice strengthens connections associated with positive emotions, promoting a more optimistic and resilient mindset.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of gratitude, teaching that it is an essential component of spiritual growth and a means of experiencing God’s peace. The Bible emphasizes gratitude for the following reasons:
Gratitude is a fundamental component of Christian living, involving the humble acknowledgment of daily blessings and the Bible’s exhortation to express thanksgiving in all circumstances, highlighting the connection between gratitude, faith, and personal growth.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
It’s imperative to express gratitude to God in everything. Giving thanks for everything includes being grateful for things like our family, friends, food, clothing, and a place to live. We express our gratitude to God for difficult situations and the positive outcomes that arise from them when we give thanks in everything.
Practicing gratitude extends beyond verbal expressions to a life dedicated to building a grateful heart. It is not enough to simply count blessings; one must also acknowledge the source of those blessings, a gracious and loving God. As we respond to the call to give thanks, let us remember the words of the psalmist: “O give thanks unto the Lord: for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever (Psalms 118:1).” May our lives demonstrate the transformative power of gratitude, which is anchored in our Creator’s infinite grace.
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I pray that this month as you journal God’s blessings you will feel His presence in every aspect of your life and that you will remain aware of His presence throughout the month.
You can download a copy of the monthly Journaling Scripture Plan here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JS.October.pdf
References:
- Life Application Study Bible: King James Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2004. Print
- Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. (1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads: the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Peabody, Mass. :Hendrickson Publishers
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed.). (1999). Merriam-Webster Incorporated
- https://enduringword.com/#commentary
- https://www.mindful.org/the-science-of-gratitude/
- https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/
- https://www.whartonhealthcare.org/the_neuroscience_of_gratitude
- https:///www.calm.com/blog/the-science-of-gratitude
- https://www.britannica.com/science/amygdala
- https://www.britannica.com/science/hippocampus
- https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/your-brain-when-you-give-and-practice-gratitude
- https://www.calm.com/blog/the-science-of-gratitude#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20significant, feelings%20of%20happiness%20and%20contentment
