Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude

During Thanksgiving week, what better topic is there to discuss than practicing gratitude? Today, Mike Merrill (Video Arts) is here to share some insight on just that:

Being grateful. It’s one of the richest emotions we can have. A grateful attitude has a multitude of positive benefits associated with it such as improved sleep, better mental focus, decreased depression, improving physical and psychological health, enhancing empathy and reducing aggression. Numerous scientific studies have proven these things and are showing us what we’ve already known from the Bible. Practicing an attitude of gratitude can change a person from the inside out.  

It takes practice to allow God to help us see things in a positive way. It takes humility. For example, gratitude will transform a person who is stressed over their finances into a person who is even more grateful for what they do have. Gratitude will transform a person who is distraught over losing a promotion at work into someone who is incredibly thankful that God has given them a job to provide for their family’s needs. A truly grateful response to any difficult situation always seems to be born out of humility.  

Gratitude has incredible transformational power in our lives. God has designed it to be that way. It’s not something to be practiced only around the approaching holidays, but a life-long way of living. I am so incredibly thankful for all that God has given me. Gratitude has helped to change my way of thinking in the past few months, and it causes me to rest my heart each night knowing that all I currently have, is all I currently need. 

As you prepare for the holiday celebrations this week, we hope you take some time to reflect on and thank God for what you have. Like Mike said, this attitude works in us from the inside out. Living out gratitude is just one more way that we can be effective ambassadors for Christ to all those around us: where we live, where we work and where we play.

Happy Thanksgiving!