Thanksgiving is Good for You

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Over the years, I’ve read from studies done at universities in the US and England that show thankfulness (gratitude) is good for you. There is a link between good health and thankfulness. 

One such study showed that people who journaled their gratitude had fewer physical sickness symptoms, felt better about their lives, and were more optimistic about the future. 

I think there is a theological reason for this. Thankfulness is powerfully linked to grace. 

Let me show you the connection. Well, let’s let the Apostle Paul make the connection. He wrote to the Corinthian Christ followers, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” [2 Corinthians 4.15 NIV - emphasis mine].  

The first underlined word is grace. It comes from the Greek word, charis. The second underlined word is thanksgiving. That comes from the Greek word, eucharistia. Do you see it? Grace - charis - is right in the middle of thanksgiving - eucharistia.

Let me say it this way: Grace is at the heart of thanksgiving. A grateful heart is keenly award of grace. When you habitually thank God for His interaction in your life, grace takes center place. When your mind is filled with grace thoughts, your whole life, body, soul, and spirit, begins to flourish. 

While many think of thanksgiving as a holiday, Christ followers know that it is the key to an abundant life. Thanksgiving is good for you. 

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1