The benefits of gratitude are well known and well documented in the secular world as well and the Christian world. Pastor Adam cited a Mayo Clinic article that talks about some of the tangible effects of gratitude: “ depression . Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease , anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. If a pill could do this, everyone would be taking it.”
There are three main motivators in life: guilt, gratification and gratitude. Have you ever thought about which one best describes you and your core motivation? We all have a little of all three, but as you get honest with yourself, which moves the needle most in your life?
Pastor Adam shared how being driven by guilt can be a miserable existence.
Gratification of self, if we are honest enough to admit it, is a common motivator. Do you often seek pleasure and the applause of others in your life?
Gratitude will maximize joy in your life. It will help you find fulfillment in following Christ, and in all around joy within life. It is the mode to strive for and live by.
INVITATION: During this Thanksgiving week, how might you be invited by God into a life of more gratefulness and thankfulness?
MONDAY: Luke 17:11-13: Have you ever thought about what pity might have to do with guilt, gratification or gratitude? Consider that God sent his only son that you and I would not perish. In His mercy he has come to us and made a way. How might you respond to the mercy, grace and pity of God today?
TUESDAY: Luke 17:14: In this culture, the priests also served as basically health inspectors. They would look the person over and need to declare them healed before they could go back into society. The lepers bodies were healed and transformed as they headed toward the priests. Have you ever thought of sin as a form of leprosy? Of all the things for which I’m most grateful this thanksgiving week, being healed of the leprosy of my sin is right at the top. Spend some time today expressing gratefulness for the taking away of your disease of sin.
WEDNESDAY: Luke 17:15-19: Only one leper came back to thank Jesus. The rest went on about their lives. Pastor Adam challenged us to think about people who do not quickly say thank you and express gratefulness. The truth is, they most often don't ever come back to give thanks. No matter how good the intentions are, it just doesn't typically happen. Gratefulness gets overshadowed by life. Do you allow things to get in the way of expressing gratefulness? How might it be for you to begin praying the same prayer as the lepers, "Jesus, master, have pity on me" in regard to not recognizing and acknowledging the abundance of blessings God has showered on you. Does someone come to mind today that you need to express thanks toward?
THURSDAY: "If in your lifetime the only prayer you offer is 'thanks', that would suffice." This is a quote by Meister Eckhart. You are invited to sit comfortably, close your eyes and begin to repeat the words "thank you." Recall the events that have occurred in the last week (conversations with friends, small tasks accomplished, rest and relaxation, appointments kept) and, after each event comes to mind, offer thanks. How might you begin incorporating the regular practice of praying "thanks" as a form of regular prayer?
FRIDAY: Psalm 118:21: The leper that returned didn't hold back. Do you hold back in your gratefulness and praise for what Jesus has done in your life?
SATURDAY: What can you praise God for today? What might you be taking for granted in your life? Are there any areas where you may fall into an attitude of entitlement? How might the Lord be inviting you into prayer about all this today and this Thanksgiving week?