The Discipline of Thankfulness

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

The news and headlines of our day are chilling and, in some cases, debilitating. Keeping our eyes on Him is not just a suggestion, but a decision. The battle always starts in our minds where our anxious thoughts, fears, and obsessions attempt to control us. To counter these mind assaults, we must consistently renew and refresh the thought patterns that we allow, by renewing our minds with the truths of God’s Word.

I believe the fastest and simplest strategy towards renewing our minds is thankfulness. Some years ago, Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, did a study on gratitude and its effects against anxiety. They found that gratitude reduces stress. “The most profound thing revealed in this study was that not only does gratitude lessen stress, but gratitude and anxiety cannot exist in the brain at the same time.”

A word of encouragement and direction from Paul in the book of Philippians:

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:6-9 (The Message)

We are getting ready to celebrate a day specifically designated for thanks. This Thanksgiving season, let us all decide not to lose heart, but to believe that we will see God’s goodness, even in the midst of trials. We choose to be thankful!

“Every night…forgive those who hurt you, pray for those who need it, and thank God for everything you have.” – Charlie Brown

To be thankful is like forgiveness; it’s a disciplined choice.

-Susan