Giving Thanks Can Be Healthy For You!

The other day I ran across an article that caused me to pause and think about the benefits of giving thanks.  A 20th century endocrinologist named Dr. Hans Selye was known across the world for studying the effects of stress on human life.  Dr. Selye claimed that there are two emotions, more than any other emotions, that exert the most influence on our peace of mind and sense of self-fulfillment.  The two emotions are revenge and gratitude.  Revenge, which springs from unresolved hostility can destroy a person as well as those around him or her.  Gratitude can heal the soul.  People who experience gratitude here in life are more at peace within themselves and have much higher degrees of self-fulfillment.  According to Selye, the degree of fulfillment verses frustration can be directly influenced by these two emotions of revenge vs. gratitude. 

How do we experience gratitude?  One way is by learning to give thanks.  The psalmist said in Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."  The psalmist then continues taking the reader down memory lane when ancient Israel was wandering, and how much they need to thank the God who delivered them from their lonely wanderings, bringing them to a good place, satisfying their thirst & hunger with good things. - Psalm 107:9.  The metaphor is powerful, because we live in a world where many wander inside themselves, not really knowing where their place is in this world, or where they need to go to find a good place.  They hunger and thirst for what they do not yet know.  The good news is that God can bring them to a good place as well, satisfying their thirst and hunger with good things.  So, want gratitude?  Learn to give thanks!  Nothing heals a bitter spirit more than a thankful heart.