3 Ways Gratitude Benefits Our Lives

 

3 ways gratitude benefits our lives

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Have you ever wondered why we are told in the Bible to be thankful?

Our flesh defaults to complaining. Sometimes we may not realize our words or thoughts contain grouchy sentiments.

Even though we have been made new in our spirits when we accept Christ, our soul still needs to be renewed or we drift back into unholy thinking.

Gratitude may be easy when we contemplate answered prayers and receiving what we want. But even those blessings can be taken for granted when we get comfortable. God warned the Israelites against complacency when they arrived at the Promised Land where everything was already provided for them (Deuteronomy 8:11-18).

There are more verses in the Bible about thankfulness than we can count here. That should tell us how important this virtue is to our lives.

Here are 3 ways gratitude can benefit our lives.

1. Gratitude softens our heart. The following verse in Romans shows us that those who do not glorify God and are not thankful drift into futile thinking. This darkens hearts.. A soul turned toward the Lord can hear Him. Hearing His voice leads us out of temptation, and we can avoid sin.

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21 NKJV, emphasis mine)

2. Gratitude lifts our mood. Medical research has proved that expressing gratitude can be beneficial physically. The National Library of Medicine’s website states, “The meta-analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent gratitude interventions experienced greater feelings of gratitude, better mental health, and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, they experienced other benefits such as a more positive mood and emotions.[i]”

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

3. Gratitude overcomes selfishness. Thanking God for all He has done for us takes the focus off ourselves and puts our attention where it belongs—on Him. He is the ultimate giver as He has shown us by sending His Son to take our place in punishment for sin. Giving to His work and helping other people feeds our souls through obedience to His Word. We get out of our self-absorbed attitudes and can be more productive in our careers and relationships.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing. (Psalm 107:22-23)

As we gather around our table on Thanksgiving Day, may we not only remember the material and physical provision from God, but our spiritual blessings as well. Where would we be without grace, mercy, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit? These are the gifts that will never expire and are the ones that also give us the supply we need here on earth.

Each day can be a time to express thanks to God for His abundance.

I hope each of you have a wonderful day celebrating the goodness of our heavenly Father!

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[i] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/