The Power of Living in Gratitude
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Some days, thanksgiving comes easily. When life hits hard, however, and sorrow and grief flood our souls, it can feel nearly impossible to see anything good. In those seasons, passages like today’s can feel unrealistic, if not cruel. Does God really want us to rejoice always?
As someone with chronic pain, I know how challenging it can be to see past our current struggles. There was a time, in fact, when my situation felt so overwhelming that I found myself slipping into despair. God used Paul, the first-century church planter who wrote today’s passage, to speak hope and encouragement into my bruised and weary soul.
If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might know some of his journey. Living during a period hostile to Christ-followers, he experienced a great deal of intense persecution.
He recounted some of his sufferings to the church in ancient Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, he wrote:
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches (NIV).
He endured a depth of hardship most of us never will. He also recognized the diverse difficulties faced by Christ-followers in Thessalonica. Early in his letter to them, he wrote:
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:6, NIV).
Pause to consider his phrasing. The man who’d been beaten, flogged, stoned, and thrown into the deepest area of an ancient dungeon referred to the Thessalonians’ suffering as “severe”. He acknowledged their pain, but he also called them to give thanks. Perhaps, in part, because he knew the power of praise to protect, comfort, and strengthen the human heart. The more we reflect upon all we have, in and through Christ, the less prone we are to despair. We remember that we aren’t abandoned, forsaken, or alone.
According to Dr. Marcus Warner, gratitude also helps turn on the “relational circuits”—the area in our brains that help us connect with others, God included. This heightens our awareness of His presence, sensitivity to His voice, and ability to receive comfort and strength from His love.
But practicing gratitude does more than that. As I shared in an iBelieve article a few years ago, thankfulness increases our ability to recall positive memories and release toxic emotions. It also increases our dopamine and serotonin, two important mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
This reminds us that God truly has our best in mind, even when asking us to follow challenging guidelines, like His call to give thanks always and rejoice continually. The more we understand Him, His heart, and His ways, the more we realize everything He does stems from His perfect wisdom and love.
This doesn’t mean He wants us to deny or suppress our emotions with a forced hallelujah. On the contrary, the raw anguish revealed in the Psalms and Lamentations invites us to bring our unfiltered selves to the Lord. Our pain feels most manageable, however, when cushioned in the truth of who He is, all He’s done, and all He’s promised. He is our faithful, attentive, all-powerful Father who sent His Son so that we might experience a thriving life. He has promised to bring good from all we encounter today (Romans 8:28). When difficulties arise, may we follow Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:6, which tells us to bring our requests to God “with thanksgiving,” trusting Him to guard our hearts and minds with His peace (Phil. 4:7).
Further Reading:
1 Peter 1:3-8
Colossians 4:2
Psalm 106:1-2
Psalm 100:1-5
Photo Credit: AaronAmat
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou
She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
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