Romans 1:18-23 teaches us that when we suppress the truth, we stop thanking God. In other words, we become ungrateful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 echoes this sentiment, encouraging us to give thanks in all circumstances.
As we become ungrateful, we lose a ton of benefits, including:
- Stronger, healthier relationships
- Improved sleep quality and quantity
- Fewer body aches and pains
- Lower levels of stress
- Fewer toxic emotions and negative thoughts
- Higher self-esteem and resilience
- An air that tends to make other people happy
- A stronger immune system
- Lower blood pressure
- More alertness, liveliness, and wakefulness
- More joy, optimism, happiness, and pleasure
- More helpfulness, generosity, and compassion
- More forgiveness
- Less loneliness and isolation
- The ability to attract and retain great employees
This year was filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and a ton of adjustments. It would be easy to enter Thanksgiving filled with ingratitude. However, there are always reasons to thank God. Give God thanks for:
- Our salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15)
- His continued presence in our lives (Philippians 4:4-7)
- What He has given us
- The people in our lives (i.e. family, friends, neighbors, church, etc.)
- The fact that the promises God has made will happen through trials (James 1:2-3, Daniel 6:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 1:12)
- His forgiveness
- That He turns all circumstances for good
May this Thanksgiving be a time where the discipline of gratitude shifts how you view any circumstances in life, including the anxieties and uncertainties that come.
Chew on This:
- What would your life be like if you knew you could find things to be grateful for even in the worst circumstance?
Posted in Spiritual Formation
