In recovery meetings gratitude is often described as an action. Simply put, If we’re grateful, how will we express it?
In the bible Jesus heals ten lepers and only one comes back to thank him:
“Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” (Luke 17:17-18).
After being healed, the man turns around, returns to Jesus, and gives thanks.
Gratitude is as a verb!
To experience the benefits of gratitude, surely we must do something to show it:
“There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.” ~Robert Brault
Expressing gratitude makes us feel happier by releasing pleasure endorphins in the brain. Research shows a five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long term satisfaction and well-being by more than 10 percent.
If a new Maserati isn’t in the budget and you don’t expect a $300,000 pay raise anytime soon, a little altruism may be a great prescription for a happier life.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- What are you grateful for today?
- What is one simple thing you can do to express it?
