In the midst of a pandemic and divisive rhetoric that tend to arouse fear and wreak havoc on our lives, to purposefully focus on gratitude might seem pollyannish. And yet, to cultivate a sense of thankfulness does not deny the chronic or traumatic losses, instead such efforts strengthen our spirits and build resilience.
Clinical research confirms that saying “thank you” can help you live longer and enriches the life you live. Honestly, tuning your eyes to notice and your mind to appreciate may lower your blood pressure and create a healthier heart—physically.
There is nothing better than gratitude to change the way we see the world and change the way the world sees us.
Our lives as followers of Christ begin in gratitude at the moment of our baptism for being received into his resurrection promise and extend through all the ways we learn to walk in his ways. His grace, so generously given, calls forth gratitude from each of us.
Kenilworth Union Church invites you to become part of a gratitude journey by subscribing to a daily email. You may also be inspired each day to specifically name three things for which you are grateful that day—anything from a strong WiFi signal the comfort of God’s presence. Perhaps offer a brief prayer. Maybe even text a note of thanks to someone.
Starting September 15 through the end of October, diverse members within the church will author these devotions.
To subscribe, click here.
To offer to write a devotion, click here.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. —Colossians 3:15–17
Posted on September 4, 2020
End Notes:
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/04/grateful-heart
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_gratitude_be_good_for_your_heart