There has been recent research that supports the fact that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, more satisfaction with life, and more vitality and optimism. Through this research, it was also learned that grateful people show lower levels of depression and stress – I don't know about you, but those are two things I'd like to experience less in my life.
What's more, they found that people who keep journals about gratitude on a weekly basis are healthier. They exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better in general than people who journal about neutral or negative life events. That sounds great, and I need all the help I can get in the exercise department.
Finally, this research showed that people who daily count their blessings report higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Wow, the benefits of being grateful are remarkable and many! I guess that shouldn't surprise me after considering my devotions for today. The Bible urges us to give thanks ... all the time ... in every situation ... because this practice is the will of God.
Let me be clear, there are terrible things that happen to us that may not be the will of God, but us praising God and giving thanks in spite of them certainly is the will of God. As Christians, we can always find reason to give thanks -- thanks for the salvation of Christ, the nearness of God, and the counsel of His Spirit for starters. "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17, NIV). We can do that too.
Christian poet John Milton once wrote about every grey cloud having a silver lining. Purposing to give thanks, no matter the weather, will train us to look for it. Continuing in this manner day after day ensures that gratefulness will become our normal mode of operation. In today's perplexed world, wouldn't it be great if our whole mode of thinking, expectations and acceptance could change to complete gratefulness and thankfulness – regardless of our circumstance?
No wonder those researchers found that people regularly counting their blessings grow happier, healthier, and more optimistic. After all, that research wasn't discovering anything new, but rather confirming the will and wisdom of God. God already knows how great it is for us to be grateful. Now "science" does too.
What can you give thanks for as we approach this blessed Thanksgiving holiday?
If you can think of little– pray this prayer and soon your eyes will open to what you truly to have to be thankful for.
Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank you for the very air we breathe. Lord we give You thanks because we know everything comes from You. Thank You for sending Your Son to die so that we may have eternal life withYou one day and for leaving Your Spirit to guide us so we may grow more like You in all we do and say. Thank You Lord for the provision of shelter which keeps us warm and dry and for food which provides strength for our bodies. Thank You for our families who love us in spite of ourselves and for our friends who wouldn't change a thing about us even if they could. Lord, may we never lose sight of all the blessings You give us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh. But, if you
have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, you have missed
everything in the world.
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