Restless The Podcast

This is Steve and welcome back to another segment of Press On. This called Attitude of Gratitude.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ever heard the expression have an “attitude of gratitude.” Sounds cute doesn’t it? I would wager there’s more going on here than cute. 

Paul introduces a third word in Philippians 4:6...with “thanksgiving.”

Why this word? Did you ever consider the psychological ramifications of worry? It’s adverse impacts on the body and mind are well documented. Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart and Paul is instructing his readers to re-learn the appropriate way to handle life’s troubles. 

Here’s what we know about developing an attitude of thanksgiving.

Gratitude/thanksgiving improves psychological health. It reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy, resentment to frustration and regret. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. Grateful and thankful people are more likely to behave in a prosocial manner, even when others behave less kindly, according to a 2012 study by the University of Kentucky.

Ask yourself how do you spend your day and what do you put in front of yourself. Things like cable news, crime shows, negative talk shows things that regularly fill your heart and mind with things that rob you of life.

Hear the word from the writers of Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

There is much more to this story but for today think about this: Start working on a behavior change that has lasting (healthy)physical and emotional benefits.

Take a small step by being thankful. Look at the blessings you have received and surround yourself with people and things that are life giving and not taking.

This is Steve and I’m thankful for you and until we meet again Press On.