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Thanksgiving
Main Point: Having a heart of gratitude is a choice that will change your outlook on life
Gratitude - the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Gratitude comes from the Latin word ‘gratia,’ means gratefulness or thankfulness.
In the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible:
- Thanks: 71 times
- Thankful: 3 times
- Thankfulness: 2 times
- Gratitude: 2 times
1. Research shows that practicing
- Improved Mental Health: Gratitude reduces toxic emotions such as envy, resentment, and frustration. Studies have linked it to decreased depression and anxiety by shifting focus from negative experiences to positive ones.
- Enhanced Relationships: Expressing gratitude fosters social bonds and increases empathy. Thanking others can improve relationships and even lead to forming new ones.
- Better Sleep Quality: Keeping a gratitude journal before bed can lead to deeper, more restful sleep. Gratitude activates brain areas that regulate bodily functions, including sleep.
- Increased Resilience: Grateful individuals are better equipped to handle stress and recover from trauma. Studies have shown its role in reducing PTSD symptoms and enhancing resilience during life challenges.
- Physical Health Benefits: People who practice gratitude report fewer aches, pains, and engage in healthier behaviors like being outdoors.
2. Sometimes our struggle is focusing
1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.—Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)
7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”—John 10:7-18 (NIV)
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.—Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)
3. Remember what you have been
13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.—2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (NIV)
4. Give thanks for being
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Next Week: Holy Moments