1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
The key to mental health and happiness is giving thanks in everything. Stephanie Pappas, a freelance science journalist in her article in the Washington Post articulated some practical tips to mental health. Some of her quick tips are “Set goals, but don’t overdo it, go outside, get exercise, be generous with relationships, use media wisely, aim for meaning, not pleasure”. A study by the University of Louisville in 2007 concluded that people are happier when they take part in meaningful activities than in self-indulgent and pleasure-seeking activities. Gratitude and thankfulness energizes joy and happiness. An ungrateful person will never be happy anywhere, anytime. Ingratitude always makes us see the glass half empty always. They will only see a small dry patch and miss the bigger picture of the vast verdant grassy hills.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians gives us the pathway to emotional stability and mental wellbeing. Rejoice always, pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Rejoicing is the effect of joy that bubbles from a grateful heart. We can rejoice only if we revisit the goodness of God and praise Him for what we have. We will be rejoicing in our hearts when we overflow with gratitude. We will be grateful for the gift of life only if our hearts are thankful for the numerous times God has saved us from the threshold of death and the accidents that we have missed. We will be grateful for our family only when we think of the people who long to see their dear ones at least once a year. Our joy is not the responsibility of our spouse, children or friends. No one can give or take away our joy. Joy is a choice and gratitude is a resolution.
Thankfulness and joy energizes emotional stability:
1. Depression: Gratitude is a powerful human expression that has a profound impact on the brain. Neuroscientific Research on the effects of gratitude has concluded that when gratitude is practiced daily it can have the same effect as medications and antidepressants. Thankfulness goes a long way in affecting our nervous system, brain, and overall biological function. The effect of gratitude on the brain is long lasting. Antidote to depression is gratitude.
2. Decision: Joy is a decision and not an accidental occurrence. We can be joyful in a shack with bare minimum or be miserable in a palatial palace. Joy is a conscientious deliberate decision. We can never make a person who is steeped in ingratitude happy. Joy is a decision.
3. Destiny: “Ingratitude is the soul’s enemy… Ingratitude is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace” – Bernard of Clairvaux. Complaining and grouching will dry up God’s grace and lead us into the desert. Ingratitude is the greatest enemy to our divine destiny.
Gratitude ignites joy and keeps us mentally healthy and emotionally stable.
Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Prayer: Dear Lord my God, May the darkness of ingratitude never shut the light of grace and mercy and steal my joy. Let gratitude and joy be my choice every morning. Amen
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