Gratitude goes beyond Thanksgiving! During the month of November, we often are encouraged to express what we are thankful for in our lives.

You hear phrases like be thankful, show gratitude, have an attitude of gratitude.  But gratitude is not something seasonal, nor should it be something we stumble upon or demonstrate out of a sense of duty.

Let’s make sure we define the terms we so glibly throw around.

Merriam-Webster’s definition

Thankful :1. Conscious of benefit received, 2. expressive of thanks, 3.well pleased. 

Grateful 1. Appreciative of benefits received, 2a. affording pleasure or contentment, 2b. pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort alleviated.

Gratitude: The state of being grateful, a feeling of appreciation.

Our Creator is a marvelous designer and engineer. All cultures and religions encourage embracing gratitude. Gratitude is present, regardless of and irrelevant to an outcome or promise of an outcome. Whereas gratefulness is tied to and requires an event or object.

Benefits of Gratitude

Neuroscience  has shown that gratitude has seven benefits (Psychology Today)¹:

1. opens the door to more relationships,
2. improves physical health,
3. improves psychological health,
4. enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
5. Grateful people sleep better. 
6. improves self-esteem,
7. increases mental strength

Gratitude and the Affects on the Brain

UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center showed that regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain² by increasing neural pathways (defined as emotions). It has been shown the brain stem releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin when a habit of gratitude is adopted as well as people who practice gratitude have larger gray matter in their brains.

Hormones

Dopamine contributes to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system.

Serotonin stabilizes mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. It helps with digestion and sleep.

Oxytocin, called the feel-good hormone, promotes feelings of love, social bonding and, well-being.

Gratitude Impacts Happiness

Gratitude enhances happiness, not the other way around. Alex Korb, Ph. D., author of Upward Spiral,³ professes gratitude boost dopamine, which acts as an antidepressant which:

                                                                     

Circumstances we should give God thanks for:

(Mark Gibbs, Paraklesis Ministries)

•             What He has done:

Things we have made it through because of God’s providence.

•             What He is doing:

Things we are overcoming because of God’s presence in our lives.

•             What He is going to do:

Things we are destined to do because of God’s promises in His Word to us individually and to mankind in general.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of  life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.’ Melody Beattie “ The Difference Between Gratitude and Thankfulness,  Psychiatric Medical Care  Susan Rhoads, LCSW.

Scripture References

Phil 4: 11-12 (AMP)

¹¹ Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. ¹² I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I Thessalonian 5: 16-18 (MSG)

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

Additional Resources

1. 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude, Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude
2. How Gratitude Actually Changes Your Brain and is Good for Business, Thrive Global, https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-gratitude-actually-changes-your-brain-and-is-good-for-business/
3. Alex Korb, PH.D. The Upward Spiral, https://alexkorbphd.com/

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