The Healing Power of Gratitude
There are times my mind is drawn to worry, World situations, family health concerns, decisions that need to be made…if I’m not careful, small concerns (and big ones) can spiral downward and cause me to doubt, second guess myself and well, ruin my day. I know in my heart that I need to pre-empt the downward spiral. I need to cast my cares on God and ask him to help me to take my thoughts captive.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken…as for me, I trust in you.” Psalm 55:22, 23b
I need to turn my mind to trust, knowing that God is in control, he is faithful and all situations are in his hands. I know this, and God has taught me a path to turn my heart and mind to this truth. It is the path of Gratitude. When I am tempted to worry, I have been learning to practice gratitude .
I begin by praying the attributes of God. “You are faithful, Lord. You are all powerful. You know the plans you have for me. You’ve got the whole world in your hands. You are the healer. You are the giver of good things.”
Next, I pray Scriptures of thanksgiving and gratitude. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34. “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart.” Psalm 138:1a
Finally, I push away anxious thoughts by replacing them with personal gratitude thoughts - Lord, I thank you for all the blessings you have so generously poured out in my life. Thank you for the times I have seen your healing hand on those I love. Thank you for providing for all my needs. Thank you for guiding me in past decisions. By the time I have poured out my thanksgiving and recited God’s goodness, I find that my heart is filled with peace and trust. Gratitude truly has healing power for the soul. I encourage you to create a plan for intentional gratitude so that you, too, can experience God’s peace and grow in trust.
When you are tempted to worry, will you intentionally take a path of gratitude, replacing worry with thanksgiving?
By Jeannie Blocher, Fort Wayne, Indiana