A handshake, hug, fist bump, pat on the back, or high five—in the appropriate context, each of these is a physical expression of recognition, celebration, or gratitude. Whether it’s our wedding day or graduation day, after we drained the winning goal or closed a big deal, it’s wonderful to be noticed by others. It also wonderful to be noticed for the often unseen and unnoticed efforts in our lives—for faithfully doing our job, for serving behind the scenes, for showing up and doing what needs to be done.
And it’s a two-way street. It’s nice to hear someone say, “Thank you.” It’s nice to say it too! In fact, it may be even more important for us to give these words out than it is to take them in. When I am not audibly saying thank you, what may be heard in the silence might be something like “I don’t see you” or “I don’t need you.”
Long before doctors and psychologists figured it out, God knew that it was more blessed to give. Thanksgiving is a displacive action. It pushes out negative thoughts and emotions. Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness. We are urged again and again to give thanks because God knew cultivating an attitude of gratitude would transform our lives.
The results are scientifically proven:
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships. Not only does saying “thank you” constitute good manners but showing appreciation can help you win new friends.
- Gratitude improves physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier than other people.
- Gratitude improves psychological health. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better!
- Gratitude increases mental strength and may play a major role in overcoming trauma. Recognizing all that you have to be thankful for—even during the worst times—fosters resilience.
One sign of being full of the Holy Spirit is that we express thanks (Ephesians 5:18-21). When I live out of my old nature, I find the temptation to complain irrepressible, but the Holy Spirit causes the opposite. He makes it impossible for me to omit gratitude. Fault-finding comes naturally. Grace-finding comes supernaturally.
The good news is that we can all get better at this—God wants to help us get better at this. A study cited by Christian psychologist, Dan Allender, noted that it is possible to become more positive and grateful, but it takes intentional effort. It means that we daily pause and look up and around, counting our blessings and giving thanks to God and others regardless of our condition or circumstances.
The Apostle Paul expressed this thankfulness to each church at the start of virtually every letter. He singled out individuals too. Paul, and evidently the Holy Spirit, thought it was important to acknowledge individuals as well as the entire church body.
So, I want to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for your expression of devotion and commitment to Christ. Thank you for serving. Thank you for each dollar you designate and entrust to Fellowship Bible Church. Thank you for expressing hunger to worship, deep desire to hear God’s Word, and an eagerness to welcome others. Thank you for seeking to embody and invest in the mission of cultivating connected followers of Christ.
I thank God for you. That means, I see you and I need you.
Fellowship, our elders and staff, sees you. We need you. We do not take you for granted. We value and appreciate you and every seen and unseen act of kindness and service, every contribution you make as you give so freely of your time, talent, treasure, and testimony.
We look forward to giving you at HIGH FIVE this coming Sunday, May 21! Don’t forget to sign up here.