The United States celebrates Thanksgiving with family gatherings, stuffing our faces with turkey, and watching mediocre football. It’s also a time to force gratitude upon unsuspecting humans. But what if I told you gratitude is one of the essential keys to the Good Life?
Despite Thanksgiving being a cultural holiday with much baggage. A holiday when we pause and consider all the things we are thankful for. A regular practice of gratitude is essential for our spiritual, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.
Studies done in neuroscience suggest when grateful, it can rewire our brains to lessen depression and anxiety, help with sleep, and improve our relationships. A gratitude practice is not only scientifically proven to improve the quality of our lives, the practice of gratitude has ancient roots and is a staple in the Christian story. Gratitude is the backbone for living well in God’s world.
Notice what 1 Timothy 4:4 says:
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…”
If something is made by God, and used for its God-given purposes, by definition it is good because God is good, and deserves thanksgiving. This means that thanksgiving should mark our entire lives because every good thing comes from God.
A life of gratitude is beneficial for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. But gratitude is driven not for its multitude of benefits, but because a benevolent and gracious God deserves it.
Happy Thanksgiving!