This week we are going to talk about gratitude. There have been many studies done on gratitude, and to those who made having a healthier lifestyle a goal for this year, well gratitude will help you get there. What?
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or our God, the son Jesus and the Father.
In a study on Gratitude participants were asked to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.
One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.
In another study, new research is starting to show gratitude works to improve our mental health. With the rise of managed health care, which emphasizes cost-efficiency and brevity, mental health professionals have had to confront this burning question: How can they help clients derive the greatest possible benefit from treatment in the shortest amount of time?
Recent evidence suggests that a promising approach is to complement psychological counseling with additional activities that are not too taxing for clients but yield high results. In their research, they have zeroed in on one such activity: the practice of gratitude. Indeed, many studies over the past decade have found that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.
The problem is that most research studies on gratitude have been conducted with well-functioning people. Is gratitude beneficial for people who struggle with hurts, hang-ups and habits? And, if so, how?
- Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions.
- Gratitude has lasting positive effects on the brain.
Why not begin showing a greater appreciation towards our God. Why not show gratitude towards God who can heal us from our toxic emotions. Why not give gratitude towards God and see how good the effects are on our brain?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
And in Colossians 3:17 we are told “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
We tend to hang on to our past negativity no matter how much we say we are trying to escape it. Just turn over the negativity to God and feel the positivity in life, no matter what your individual situation is.
During this week give this a try, when you begin to feel negativity creep into your life, meditate on these two scriptures found in Psalm.
Psalm 143:5-6
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
And Psalm 63: 3 – 6
Because your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will life up my hands in your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.