(Minister Well Newsletter, November 2016)
As Thanksgiving approaches we are urged by everyone from teachers and preachers to a multitude of holiday knick-knacks to count our blessings; at the same time, the Holy Spirit’s conviction on this message also grows more persistent in our spirits. Other than gratitude being more pleasant (to everyone) than complaining, does it really warrant all the hype? It turns out that the proven benefits to our mind, body, and spirit are so profound that we can dramatically improve our well being by treating everyday with the Thanksgiving attitude.
Mind
What we choose to think about has everything to do with how we process information and how we feel emotionally. Isn’t that one of the lessons of “be[ing] transformed by the renewing of your mind”? We are to interact with the world with a different mindset, a renewed mindset, and certainly it should be a thankful mindset as Christians. This doesn’t mean we are to be ignorant to the difficulties of this life; rather we are to embrace life with gratitude for our Salvation and for His Sovereignty. We know that an attitude of gratitude has the following mental benefits – more optimism, more emotional resiliency, more happiness, more kindness, less self-centeredness, less enviousness, less materialism, improved decision-making, improved productivity, and improved relationships, to name a few.
Body
Perhaps mental well being is not convincing enough for some people to say “thank you” a bit more often, or to dwell on the blessings around them. How about some more observable evidence that gratitude makes a difference? Gratitude is linked to less physical pain, more and improved quality sleep, strengthened immunity, increased longevity (by way of happiness), and more vitality and energy. Furthermore, grateful people tend to be more relaxed people with healthier blood pressure. It also should be no surprise, although I had not considered this, that the intentionality of being thankful (e.g., for our health) actually encourages us to treat our bodies better by exercising.
Spirit
Bible verses that encourage gratitude are plentiful. Other than being a “good” Christian attitude, why so much emphasis on gratitude? John Piper’s Desiring God describes over and over the necessity of man enjoying God in all circumstances if we are to glorify Him. In other words, we cannot fully glorify God if we are not continually grateful for His sovereignty, His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, and our salvation through Christ. Piper’s premise is similar to teaching someone with a phobia to relax in the face of his or her feared stimulus. Fear and relaxation cannot exist in the same moment. Likewise, every moment that we choose gratitude to the Triune God we cannot be ungrateful. The two are mutually exclusive – we are grateful or ungrateful; either we draw closer to God or push further away; either we choose to be more Christ-reliant or more self-reliant. Which sounds healthier to you?
Challenge
If you think your gratitude muscles may need a bit of toning, I have a challenge for you. It has been popularized on social media as the Gratitude Challenge, although you may prefer to think of it as Counting Your Blessings. All you do is list THREE blessings that occurred TODAY, everyday for at least one week. It is essential that you think only of the present day. It is preferable that you do this publically (e.g., social media) because sharing our gratitude is correlated with a higher degree of happiness. At the very least keep a journal (electronic or paper).
At the end of the seven days, share your experience (with me) and challenge someone else that you care about.
May you Minister Well in mind, body, and spirit.
In Him,
Heather Clark, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PY 7620