The Power of Thanks.

The Bible is full of verses directing us as believers to live lives of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

With any of God's commands, He has reasons behind giving us these commands.

Does it glorify God when we live this way? Absolutely!

But, what if I told you living a life of gratitude not only progresses the kingdom of God, that it also benefits us as individuals? Would you believe me?

Well, I'm not here to convince you myself, but science backs it up.

If you google the benefits of gratitude, you'll find list after list and blog post after blog post. So why do I expect you to read mine?

Well, because often these posts are written from either strictly Biblical, "do it because the bible says so", point of view or a strictly secular "manifest your best life" perspective.

What if I told you God commands us to be grateful, not just because it Glorifies Him, but ALSO because it benefits us?

So what ARE the benefits of practicing gratitude?

Paraphrased from psychology today (because I don't expect you to just take my word for it) there are at least 7 scientifically backed, I'll focus on a few .

1. Gratitude increases your social experience. When you say thank you, or express thanks, it not only displays good manners, but it displays to others that you know how to show appreciation. People like being appreciated. If it's just a simple thank you for listening, or a gesture to show gratitude. It boosts morale. Recently I received a thank you card for joining my church's praise team and it complimented me in a way I will never forget, and reinforced that I made the right decision to step up and use my talents in a way I hadn't in YEARS.
   

2. Believe it or not, gratitude is good for your physical health. Mood is directly linked to physical health, and I'm not saying that showing gratitude is the answer to real illness in your body, BUT there is a real Mind-Body connection. People with high levels of anxiety and depression often experience more aches and pains than their mentally healthy counterparts. And since expressing gratitude has a direct effect on your mental health, it would only make sense that physical health would in turn be improved.
   

3. As touched on in the last point practicing gratitude effects your mental health. Why is that? When you are focusing on the positive you have less room in your brain to focus on the negative. Where your focus goes, energy flows!!! When you are thinking about the positive things in life. You magnify the positive. Is that manifestation? In a simplified example? Absolutely. Do I think manifestation is a sin? Not in general, but I also don't think you can manifest a million-dollar wealth like some people preach is possible.
   

4. Increased gratitude equals decreased aggression. That's a simple enough point, but grateful people have less anger and therefore display less aggression towards others. That benefit along would make the world a better place in general if you ask me.
   

5. Gratitude practices help promote better sleep. I think this goes hand in hand with the mental health piece, people with a better mental health, have better sleep habits. They have fewer negative thoughts keeping them up at night and therefore experience a more restful sleep.
   

6. Grateful people have better self-esteem. Have you ever met someone that is a "woe is me, the world is out to get me, nothing is ever right" type of person? Well, it's hard to be that kind of person when you are focusing on the positive. Even when things are rough, when you focus on the good, you feel better about your life, and in turn feel better about yourself!
   

7. And their final point is that it increases mental fortitude! (ok I fancied it up a little bit) Gratitude can help people overcome trauma, can help build resilience. Can give you a stronger mindset to face life's setbacks.

   
   
   
   

But to me above all the benefits that we can leach from the practice of gratude, the greatest is that it gives glory to God.

How amazing is it when you see someone facing hard times and they smile and thank God for the good in their life

Psalm 100:1-5 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his;[a] we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

If we have nothing else to be thankful for. We have God. We have a savior that above all loves us, watches over us and takes care of us

Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!