In today's episode I want to talk about thankfulness & gratitude.
It can be really hard to feel grateful when we're going through a tough time, but I believe that it's just as important as ever to find things to appreciate in our lives, and to express our thankfulness to God and others. In this episode, I'm going to share with you three (3) reasons why being grateful in tough times is so important. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and join me as we explore the importance of gratitude.
1. It can help you reframe your situation.
When you’re going through tough times, it can be easy to focus on all the negative aspects of your life. However, if you take a step back and think about all the things you have to be grateful for, it can help you reframe your situation. Instead of dwelling on the negative, you’ll be able to see the positive things in your life and be thankful for them. I believe that if we’ll allow ourselves to notice, there will be something each and every day to give thanks for.
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”
When you're feeling down, it can be so difficult to see anything good in your life. However, by taking a moment to reflect on the things you're grateful for, you can help shift your focus from the negative to the positive. This can help you feel better about yourself and your situation and may even help to improve your outlook on life.
2. It can help increase your resilience.
Being grateful during tough times can also help increase your resilience. When you’re able to focus on the good things in your life, it can give you the strength you need to keep going even when things are tough. Additionally, gratitude has been linked with increased levels of optimism and happiness, which can also help boost your resilience. Gratitude has also been shown to increase resilience in the face of adversity. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who were grateful for their blessings were better able to cope with stress and setbacks than those who were not grateful. The study found that gratitude helped people to see their difficulties as temporary and less overwhelming.
I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
God knows what he’s talking about!!! He isn’t being insensitive or dismissive of our pain. He knows what’s best for us. And sometimes it’s making that effort to recognize what you can be grateful for on a hard day.
3. It can help improve your mental and physical health.
Finally, gratitude has been shown to have a number of benefits for mental and physical health.
Numerous studies have found that gratitude is associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety, as well as higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. When you take the time to appreciate the good things in your life, it can help lower your overall stress levels. Additionally, gratitude has been linked with reduced levels of anxiety and depression, making it an important tool for managing mental health during tough times.
Gratitude has also been linked to better physical health. Studies have shown that grateful people are more likely to take care of their health and are less likely to experience stress-related health problems such as headaches, stomachaches, and insomnia. Gratitude has been found to boost the immune system and improve heart health!! Gratitude has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, AND a stronger immune system!!
To Recap:
It’s clearly important to remember the power of thankfulness and gratitude, even – and especially – during difficult periods.
Gratitude can help you reframe your situation and recognize the positives, which is linked to better physical and mental health in several ways.
Cultivating an attitude of gratefulness also builds resilience to adversity. I hope this episode has inspired you to start expressing more gratitude in your own life. It’s a good reminder to me. If you enjoyed it and want to stay in touch, become my new email bestie! Get updates and notifications of new episodes delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to emails.
