Wouldn’t it be nice if we were always thankful for everything we have been given in life? The benefits of gratitude far outweigh the moments of discouragement. It’s so easy for irritation, overwhelm, and anxiety to get in our way. Even so, we need to remember that the benefits of gratitude can be far-reaching in our lives.
Not only does gratefulness help us, but it blesses those around us as well. Gratitude and loving others really go hand-in-hand. Learn more about the benefits of gratitude in the Bible and how gratitude benefits everyone, everywhere, in every season!
Gratitude and Loving Others | Gratitude Benefits Others!
Life is challenging. We face daily inconveniences, bad news, and failures. Emotions can so easily take over when hard things happen (or when we worry about hard things happening) and loving others becomes impossible.
But the Bible and God’s design within our bodies demonstrate how we can improve our attitude and experience in those hard times. One practical way is by practicing gratitude. Each scripture is full of examples that showcase the benefits of gratitude in the Bible. The benefits of gratitude impact nearly our entire lives – our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Not to mention, when we love others well and offer heartfelt words of thanks, our practice of gratitude benefits others.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
It’s God’s will for us to be grateful no matter what challenges we face. Gratitude benefits our soul, our mind, and our body. What types of things can we be grateful for? Well, just about any little blessing, from each breath we take and the clothes we’re wearing, to the people we get to enjoy life with. There is always something to be grateful for.
Even when things are hard, it’s God’s unending love and goodness that we can be thankful for (Psalm 106:7). And, the benefits of gratitude that we begin to see impact both us and anyone we interact with.
Related Post: 5 Simple Ways to Show God’s Love to Others
Gratitude and Mental Health | How Gratitude Benefits Our Minds
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:6-8
The apostle Paul faced incredibly hard things in his life! The apostle Paul's life is full of examples of the benefits of gratitude in the Bible. He tells us in Philippians that gratitude and prayer are an antidote to anxiety. Instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, he encourages us to recognize all that “is excellent or praiseworthy.” That is one of the beautiful benefits of gratitude!
As we change our thinking and experience the benefits of giving thanks to God, we can focus better on what God wants for our lives (Romans 12:2). While God has a unique calling for every person, we can be sure that loving others is part of His will for every one of us. (Interesting how the findings of research support the Word of God that was written thousands of years earlier!)
Gratitude and mental health go hand-in-hand, especially when we face challenges. One of the benefits of gratitude is that it actually changes our brain and emotions. Thankfulness increases our ability to experience and express joy and love, and our readiness to serve others.
The Benefits of Gratitude | Science Proves the Benefits of Gratitude in the Bible
The benefits of gratitude impact our lives in countless ways—from improved immunity, to better mental health, greater optimism and satisfying relationships.
It's even proven that gratitude benefits our brain. More specifically, our brains can change throughout our lives. The more we practice gratitude – like thinking about all we are blessed with (rather than all we wish we had) – our minds will naturally lean toward gratitude and giving thanks to God. When young children learn to be grateful, they are more emotionally resilient later in life.
Research shows that practicing gratitude on purpose each day “invites joy” into our lives. The benefits of gratitude even go on to create deeper relationships when we involve others and connect on a new level.
Practicing Gratitude: The Benefits of Giving Thanks to God
God is calling us to love Him, love others, and be grateful. Start or end each day by recognizing just a few things you’re grateful for and give thanks to God. Perhaps write down one thing that pleasantly surprised you today before going to bed. Repeat this each day and see how it might begin to change your perspective.
One of our favorite benefits of gratitude Bible verses is in Acts 20:35 when Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. So, instead of simply seeking to do what feels good or comfortable, consider giving back to someone else and see how it impacts you. Try something simple like holding a door open, helping with a quick task, or paying for the person behind or next to you.
Real love is shown by actions, and gratitude is best when expressed, too. Whether in writing or words, kept between you and God or shared with another person, we encourage you to look for things to be thankful for and discover for yourself the benefits of gratitude.
Related Post: 20 Bible Verses About Thankfulness
What is the Importance of Giving Thanks to God?
Life can feel like a whirlwind sometimes, right? But even in the midst of the craziness, there's always something to be grateful for. The benefits of gratitude in the Bible are all throughout the scriptures. Gratitude benefits have even been studied throughout the science community. When we take a moment to appreciate the good things in our lives, it's like we're connecting with something bigger than ourselves. This is one of the primary gratitude benefits because we’re honoring God in the midst of the struggle.
Giving thanks to God is like a little boost for our souls. The Psalms display the benefits of gratitude in the Bible. King David wrote several psalms when things were going poorly for him. He would be honest with God about what he was experiencing and then he would practice gratitude, giving thanks to the Lord. It’s as if each psalm is encouraging the reader about the benefits of gratitude!
Gratitude helps us to feel more positive and strengthens our bond with God. Whether you've been walking with God for years or just starting to explore your faith, giving thanks can bring a sense of peace into your everyday life. A simple way to experience the benefits of gratitude is by writing down what you’re thankful for today!
Why Instead of Being Anxious Should We be Grateful?
I know what you’re thinking: this seems counterintuitive at first thought. Why be anxious when I can be grateful?...as if it’s easy to hit the pause button on anxiety. But the benefits of giving thanks to God are good for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Here are some of our favorite instead of being anxious, be grateful Bible verses:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4:2 NIV
The Bible verse in Colossians 4:2 highlights the benefits of gratitude in the Bible. It encourages us to prioritize prayer, remain strong in our faith, and cultivate a grateful heart. By consistently expressing thanks to God, we can experience the benefits of gratitude, such as reduced anxiety and a deeper connection with our faith. This aligns with the principle of 'instead of being anxious, be grateful,' reminding us that gratitude can transform us and bring peace to our hearts.
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:20 NIV
This benefits of gratitude Bible verse encourages us to have a constant attitude of gratitude towards God the Father. Ephesians 5:20 emphasizes the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances, recognizing that gratitude is not just an emotion but rather an intentional act of faith. By consistently giving thanks to God, we can experience joy in the midst of suffering. This is a great 'instead of being anxious, be grateful Bible verses, reminding us that gratitude changes everything.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. - 2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT
Have you ever given to someone in need when you were feeling down? It’s wild how quickly you forget about your problems when you focus on someone else. This benefits of gratitude Bible verse reminds us to be generous, taking our gifts to those who need them. One of the best benefits of giving thanks to God is that other people get to meet God through our choice to be grateful!
Conclusion
The benefits of gratitude in the Bible are so clear. By practicing gratitude, we can improve our lives, our relationships, and even our cities. By focusing on the good things in our lives and expressing our thanks to God, we can experience the real-world benefits of giving thanks to God. So, let's make a conscious effort to create hearts of gratitude, and discover the amazing benefits it brings!
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