AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE: LIVING A GRATEFUL LIFE

This week Sandy and Elisabeth discuss the Biblical principles of the 30 Days of Thankfulness trend, how it effects us physically and how we can accomplish not just 30 days but a lifestyle of gratitude.

WHY SHOULD WE BE GRATEFUL

NUMBERS 14:1-2 That night all the people in the camp began crying loudly. All the Israelites complained [grumbled] against Moses and Aaron.

Being ungrateful brought punishment for the Israelites. Severe punishment. In the form of wandering in the wilderness until all those that had complained had died.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is GOD’S WILL for you in Christ Jesus.

Grateful people are the ones that God chooses to accomplish His will.

1 PETER 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

God wants us to live a life without anxiety.

HOW DO WE DO IT

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

THANKFULNESS JOURNAL

How do you do it?

• Every day write down 3 good things that happened that day.
• They don't have to be earth shattering but they do need to be specific.
• The longer you continue the more benefits you see

Benefits:

• Increased happiness
• Improves self-esteem
• Better sleep
• Decreased stress levels

MINDFULNESS

How do you do it?

• Do one thing at a time
• Do it slowly and deliberately
• Do less
• Put Space in Between Things
• Spend 5 Minutes Doing Nothing
• Stop Worrying About the Future
• When You're Talking to Someone Be Present
• Eat Slowly and Savor Your Food
• Live Slowly and Savor Your Life
• Make Cleaning and Cooking Become Meditation
• Keep Practicing

SO WHAT'S THE POINT

COLOSSIANS 3:16-17 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If we want to live like Jesus we must be grateful. Jesus thanked God in prayer several times in Scripture, including at the Last Supper when He knew the hardest times were coming.

2 CORINTHIANS 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Being thankful is a big part of how we point people to Christ.

CONCLUSION

In order to speak life and truth and hope into the next generation we need to look undeniably different. We need to look and think and act like the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth and they way to get there is through gratefulness. 

RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT:

Words Can Change Your Brain: 12 Conversation Strategies to Build Trust, Resolve Conflict and Increase Intimacy by Andrew Newberg MD and Mark Robert Waldman

How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings From a Leading Neuroscientist by Andrew Newberg MD and Mark Robert Waldman

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