Having an Attitude of Gratitude Eases the Mind and the Soul

Do you typically have a “glass half full” or a “glass half empty” perspective?  It can be a real challenge to see the bright side of every circumstance. Yet, God’s word exhorts us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18-19) 

Gratitude is the practice of seeing and celebrating the good as opposed to focusing on being negative, critical, or complaining. Similar thoughts are conveyed by Joyce Meyer, when she writes,  “You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind,” in Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. Being thankful — choosing an “attitude of gratitude” — is proven to improve our emotional wellbeing according to mental health professional Amy Morin, in her book What Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. 

Research indicates that there are several practical benefits to being grateful. First, expressing thanks invites ongoing relationships. A simple “thank you” reflects kindness and invites reciprocity. Grateful people tend to report feeling better physically and are more likely to be proactive in addressing health needs. Furthermore, taking time to journal grateful sentiments before bed can result in better sleep. Focusing on the positive can reduce toxic emotions such as envy, resentment, frustration, and even aggression. A 2012 study by the University of Kentucky reports that persons who scored higher on gratitude scales had more compassion and understanding towards others and were less likely to retaliate when they felt antagonized.

The comparison trap of our social media culture can be a real culprit of those thoughts of not being as good/successful/attractive/wealthy/liked as all of our “friends.” By choosing to celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of resenting them, we can reduce social comparisons and improve self-esteem. Gratitude has been shown to impact mental strength and resilience, even in extreme cases of post-traumatic stress of Viet Nam War veterans and those who experienced the 9/11 Terror Attacks. Making a conscious effort to acknowledge and appreciate what you have, even in times of crisis and distress, really is essential to experiencing peace of mind and soul satisfaction.

Why would God expect us to be thankful in times of disappointment, trouble, or loss? Because He wants us to recognize that He is the perfect source of peace to which we have constant access. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:15-17:

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

God’s word is full of strength and power to help us focus on our blessed and eternal hope through Christ Jesus. In those moments of frustration, fear, anger, and resentment, look to His word and meditate on it so that His Spirit can redirect those self-defeating thoughts to an attitude of gratitude.

Helpful Resources

Amy Morin, LCSW, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition, March 7, 2017.

Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, Warner Faith; Revised edition, October 1, 2002.