GRATITUDE AND GIVING

Principle: The Power of Gratitude and Giving

As soon as you start to feel grateful for what you already have, you will start to attract more good things.

Scriptures: Psalms 118:24 - This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Deborah Norville of the Today show quoted a study from the University of California in her new book on the effectiveness of gratitude. This study revealed that people who are grateful are:

----- More optimistic
----- More apt to help others
----- More joyful
----- Genuinely healthier
----- More resilient (healthier immune system for physical & emotional "come-backs."
----- Less stressed
----- Better strategic thinkers

All because they focus on what's right in their lives. Remember, what we focus on gets bigger! As we acknowledge Him, He directs our paths. Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.

This scripture doesn't, of course, mean to suppress our normal emotions. We all experience anger, anxiety, depression, fear and many other feelings from time to time. And these emotions are unhealthy only if they remain buried inside, unexpressed and not dealt with. When you value yourself, you express your feelings and then you let them go. That's the key - we attend to our emotions, just as we do our problems, but we don't dwell on them.

The accompanying principle, "giving," is just as powerful. Have you ever wondered why? Because not giving is based in fear; fear we won't have enough; fear we'll not be given to in return; fear, fear, fear. In the movie, "Facing the Giants," the coach pointed out that "fear not" and its variations was the most often repeated commandment in the Bible, occurring 365 times - that's enough "fear nots" to say once a day for a year!

I think not giving also denotes lack of trust in God. We have a hard time really believing that God has plans for us, plans to prosper and not harm us. My husband and I recently began to really focus on blessing others with material things - it's a great feeling! And what a way to clean things out - that always makes room for you to receive more good things.

Look for my next blog - Part 4, when I will discuss the principle of "acting in faith," or "fake it 'till you make it!" Barb