The spiritual and Physical Power Behind Thankfulness in Life
Thanksgiving is a such a wonderful time of year. It starts the full ramp up for Christmas the end of December and it is a time of getting together as a family and, hopefully, talking about how you have been grateful for the past year. I used to hear the statement about gratefulness and think it was such a nice religious thing to do because Jesus is in your heart and we should be always looking for ways to stay positive and grateful in everything we do throughout the year. This past year has been a lot for some families from sickness to losing loved ones to life transitions that can derail your life in so many ways. But is there something physiological about living a thankful life? It looks like science says so.
These were five points that had to do with the physical changes and benefits in our bodies from living a grateful/thankful life. 1. Lessens the power of toxic emotions. Gratitude emphasizes the good in our lives and shifts our focus away from negative emotions such as resentment or envy, putting them on the back burner of our minds.
2. Reduces physical pain. While it’s true that gratitude releases dopamine, our body’s natural pain reliever, it also fills us with more energy, making pain less potent.
3. Improves sleep. Gratitude stimulates the hypothalamus in the brain, which is responsible for the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is thought to counteract the effects of stress and produce better sleep.
4. Regulates stress. A 2004 study showed that participants who demonstrated more gratitude and appreciation had lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. They were also more resilient when facing emotional setbacks.
5. Improves anxiety & depression: Because gratitude lowers stress hormones and helps balance the nervous system, it reduces depression and anxiety. It also strengthens the part of the brain that regulates negative emotions like guilt and shame.
When I read this non-spiritual rundown of what gratefulness does physiologically in our bodies it is just a GREATER testimony about verses that God gives us in the bible like these beauties;
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your cares on the Lord for He cares for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Now when we read those verses, it is not just that we put our trust in Christ but that he KNOWS what will happen in our physical bodies when we trust him and stay thankful!
This can be a tough time for some people because of the level of disfunction in families today. But true thankfulness is not dependent on the circumstances around but from the peace that Christ gives within. In fact, the harder things seem around us, the greater the opportunity to find things to be thankful for each day and especially in this thanksgiving season.
So when you eat that big thanksgiving turkey meal this week think about the power of thankfulness not just in the Spiritual realm but also in your physical body when you learn to let go and Let GOD and be thankful in all circumstances.