I heard a friend recently say that we shouldn’t be thankful just one day per year. That’s so true! While Thanksgiving is a great day to gather as a family, enjoy a meal, and share a few reasons we are thankful for God’s blessings, why do most of us only make this an annual practice?
I read about a study this morning that sought to answer the question, “Does counting your blessings really help?“ The researchers found that it did. From the article, “Just writing down the things you are grateful for each day appears to cause to improve your overall emotional outlook.” This shouldn’t surprise any of us. We all know the power of positive thinking. Although the so-called “laws of attraction” are complete nonsense, there is a grain of truth in it. When we have a positive attitude, we will generally be happier, healthier people.
I commented on a friend’s facebook status this morning who stated that he “would like to know what it is like to be truly happy.” After a few others talked about moments of happiness due to events in their lives, I made this comment:
I agree that happiness is an occasional thing based on circumstances. I’m generally happy (except when I’m not). But we can also have a contentment in life that goes beyond happiness so that despite circumstances (good or bad), we can have a joy that is deeper than happiness. This is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Philippians 4:12-13. I realize that most of the world disagrees with me on this point, but I’m speaking from my own personal experience.
I think I’ve blogged on this before, but I’m truly grateful for where I am. This isn’t because I’m in the greatest place financially or because I have perfect children or because all of my family is healthy all the time (because none of those things are true). But I can have joy through all stages of life because I have Christ. He is my treasure, so every day I have reason to be thankful.