Revised May 2024
Discover the profound benefits of gratitude on well-being. Explore how thankfulness in all circumstances enriches life and strengthens faith.
Thanksgiving, a time cherished by many for its warm traditions and heartfelt gratitude, holds a special place in our hearts. This holiday invites us to reflect on the things that matter most: family, togetherness, and the simple joys of life. It's a season not just for indulging in delicious feasts or enjoying football, but for embracing the spirit of thankfulness that enriches our lives.
As we gather around the table this year, let's explore the profound power of gratitude and how cultivating a thankful heart can transform our everyday experiences, strengthen our faith and enhance our well-being.
The Role of Family Traditions in Practicing Gratitude
The power of gratitude lies not only in its definition but in its practice. It's an educator, teaching us to see and appreciate the world in its fullness, and a tool for enhancing our experience of life in the present moment.
It's an expression of deep appreciation and acknowledgment of the gifts in one’s life. This attitude, when embraced and practiced regularly, can transform the way one experiences the world, bringing forth a powerful wave of positive emotions and a profound appreciation for the small things in life.
In many households, the desire to cultivate new traditions with family members runs deep. Even from a tender age, children can learn the valuable practice of gratitude—a habit that not only strengthens faith but also enhances well-being and nurtures positive emotions. By engaging in traditions like maintaining a gratitude journal, participating in specific holiday activities, and acknowledging the small mercies and joys of everyday life through sharing daily highs and lows, families can deepen their sense of gratitude.
Gratitude as a Way of Life: A Christian Perspective
In a Christian household, teaching your young ones what gratitude means and intentionally cultivating a sense of thankfulness through the highs and the lows is an important part of life. Remember, everything belongs to the Lord, and He provides for His children according to His sovereign will. This understanding forms the foundation of a lifestyle rooted in gratitude.
Many Christian families find that the ritual of gathering for meals can be a great place to start. Sitting down together, holding hands, and thanking God for the food is a daily way to show gratitude for all of your blessings. This simple practice reinforces the mindset of thankfulness in day-to-day life.
This approach aligns with teachings from the Bible, like those found in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, which advocates for rejoicing always, praying ceaselessly, and giving thanks in all circumstances as God's will in Christ Jesus. Adopting this mindset is believed to not only bolster mental health but also enhance the overall sense of well-being within the family. By practicing gratitude consistently, families aim to nurture a positive environment and a deeper appreciation for life's blessings.
The Connection Between Music and Gratitude
So what happens if you’re not having feelings of gratitude?
We’re all aware there are some pretty awful circumstances in life that leave us feeling less than thankful at times. Life is not a bed of roses. In fact, Jesus warns us of this in John 16:33.
In addition to God’s Word, turning to music for comfort can also be a huge help for believers. Music, a universal language, ministers to the soul and allows you to express gratitude in your own unique way, sometimes even before feeling gratitude in the present moment.
There are some extremely talented artists out there who produce amazing songs for the Lord – some new on the scene, some who’ve been around for decades.
And although many songs can be a great expression of gratitude, one little tune keeps circling around in our heads and hearts.
It’s a short song that many of us learned in Sunday school as a child:
“Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, ‘I am strong,’
Let the poor say, ‘I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us.’”
There is a richness in this one little verse and chorus that holds the key to nourishing a thankful heart, no matter what life has thrown at us.
We can be thankful because God gave us His Son. And truly, Jesus is enough. If there seems to be nothing else to thank the Father for, start with Jesus.
It’s because of the death and resurrection of the Son that we can say, “I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
And it’s because of God’s sacrifice that we can pronounce, “I am rich” (Philippians 4:19)!
The Profound Benefits of Gratitude for Well-being
Incorporating gratitude into daily life is validated by positive psychology, with noted researchers like Dr. Robert Emmons highlighting its positive effects on mental health, self-esteem, and even physical health markers like blood pressure. Through the act of showing gratitude, you can experience life with a more positive feeling and perspective. Emmons remarks, “Gratitude empowers us to take charge of our emotional lives and, as a consequence, our bodies reap the benefits.”
Practical Ways to Grow Gratitude
This Thanksgiving, are you struggling with rejection, shame, anger, or bitterness? Give thanks for Jesus.
If you don’t know Him as your personal Savior, today is the day!
He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly (John 10:10). He will turn your ashes to beauty (Isaiah 61:3) and give you a heart of thanks.
Regularly practicing gratitude—whether through a gratitude journal, prayer, simply acknowledging small things and everyday mercies, or doing something for someone to show you’re thankful for them—can transform our perspective, allowing us to experience life more fully. These simple daily practices, where you acknowledge the everyday mercies you receive, can have a profound effect on how you experience life.
Embracing Gratitude in Our Journey
Around Thanksgiving, as you get ready to eat all the food, watch the parades, and partake in a number of other family traditions, whatever they may be, let us first and foremost put on an attitude of thankfulness “for what the Lord has done for us… Give thanks.”
And if inflation is a rising concern this holiday season, saving money on essentials like health care is another reason to be thankful. Christians are turning to Medi-Share as a Biblical health care alternative that helps them save on average $6K per year. With Medi-Share, members don’t have to choose between their values and wallet – now that’s something to be grateful for! Click here to check out Medi-Share’s health care sharing program.
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