Discovering the Hidden Power of Gratitude

I Thessalonians 5:18-16:  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Have you read the story about the teacher who asked her pupils what they thought the Seven Wonders of the World were for today? The highest vote count was for the great pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Great Wall of China. As the teacher gathered the votes, she noticed one girl had not finished. The teacher asked if she was having trouble making up a list. She said, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Tell us what you have and maybe we can help.” The little girl said, “I think the seven wonders of the world are to see, to hear, to touch, to taste, to feel, to laugh and to love.” Her response sounds like it came straight from a heart of gratitude.

Thursday is Thanksgiving.  Most of us will be privileged to gather with family and friends to enjoy a hearty feast around a table that is bowlegged with food, and the sort that will keep the manufacturer of diet products in business for another year.  And we will enjoy memorable visits around the table with friends and family, some of whom we enjoy seeing only once a year. And on Thursday either in our morning quiet time, or the prayer before the meal, we will give thanks for our many blessings.

As one of our treasured holidays, Thanksgiving is a day set aside, not only to give thanks, but to remind us of the ongoing importance of gratitude.  In I Thessalonians 5: 18, Paul encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As we grow in our walk with the Lord, we discover more about the hidden power of gratitude.  Experiencing and expressing gratitude throughout the ever-changing seasons of life has a way of re-shaping our perspective and re-formatting our attitude. 

You have to choose whether you count your blessings or burdens.  But counting your blessings is definitely more healthy.

In my journey of faith, I am discovering that gratitude has encouraging power.  When I am frustrated and tend to see the glass half empty rather than half full, I find that the practice of “counting my blessings” infuses me with encouragement. On those days when you forget the beauty of a palm tree, and you choose to sit under the juniper tree instead, you may find that an inventory of your blessings serves as the catalyst that lifts your spirit from the catacombs of gloom and despair.

The daily discipline of expressing gratitude also builds staying power within me.  Years ago, in a discipleship course called Masterlife, I was challenged to pray using the acronym, ACTS, a way of framing my prayers to include adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.  While each of those facets of prayer are important, thanksgiving is the one dimension that seems to fortify my sense of determination and perseverance.

And I am convinced that gratitude unleashes healing power.  Now, let me be clear.  That does not mean that gratitude brings instantaneous healing, nor does it make me immune from viruses or exempt from accidents.  But I do believe that a heart of gratitude promotes spiritual, emotional, and physical healing in at least a couple of ways.  First, gratitude trumps toxic negativity and complaint, cleansing our perspective and renewing our focus.  And second, gratitude seems to put us in a positive frame of mind which allows our body to better produce and release antibodies and restorative enzymes that work to promote health and wholeness.

Robert Emmons’ book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier provides a detailed report on a study of the psychology of gratitude sponsored by Emmons and his colleagues at the University of California-Berkeley.  Emmons says that those who practice grateful thinking "reap emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits." People who regularly keep a gratitude journal report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future. Emmons conclusion is that gratitude is a choice, one possible response to our life experiences.

Other doctors agree.  Researchers have found that when we think about someone or something we really appreciate and experience the feeling that goes with the thought, the parasympathetic—calming-branch of the autonomic nervous system— is triggered. This pattern when repeated bestows a protective effect on the heart. The electromagnetic heart patterns of volunteers tested become more coherent and ordered when they activate feelings of appreciation.

There is evidence that when we practice bringing attention to what we appreciate in our lives, more positive emotions emerge, leading to beneficial alterations in heart rate variability. This may not only relieve hypertension but reduce the risk of sudden death from coronary artery disease.

The more we pause to appreciate and show caring and compassion, the more order and coherence we experience internally. When our hearts are in an "internal coherence state," studies suggest that we enjoy the capacity to be peaceful and calm yet retain the ability to respond appropriately to stressful circumstances. (A Different Kind of Health: Finding Well-Being Despite Illness, by Blair Justice, pp. 100-101.)

Neurobiologically, gratitude is nested within the social emotions, along with awe, wonder, "elevation" and pride. This is yet another reminder that we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Researchers have also found that gratitude is like a booster shot for romantic relationships. One study included over sixty-five couples who were already in ongoing, satisfying, and committed relationships. They tracked the day-to-day fluctuations in relationship satisfaction and connection for each member of the relationship. These little, everyday, ups and downs in relationship quality were reliably marked by one person's feelings of gratitude. The effects on the relationship were noticed even the day after feeling the gratitude was expressed. This research thus suggests that even everyday gratitude serves an important relationship maintenance mechanism in close relationships, acting as a booster shot to the relationship.

Ultimately, gratitude strengthens our serving power. Gratitude is not about counting my blessings just to make me a happier consumer.  Genuine gratitude motivates me to share my blessings.  For me, the quality of life is best measured, not by how much I have, but how effectively I use resources I have been given to serve.

With good reason, the scripture encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” For the believer, thanksgiving is not just a day of feasting and festivity.  Thanksgiving, the genuine expression of gratitude, is a daily spiritual discipline, a personal practice that steadily transforms us from the inside out.

"In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years' War, a German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children: 'Now thank we all our God / With heart and hands and voices;/ Who wondrous things had done,/ In whom His world rejoices. /Who, from our mother's arms,/Hath led us on our way/ With countless gifts of love/ And still is ours today.’” Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.  (Don Maddox)
Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

A Memorable Geography Lesson

I was in Mrs. Gibson’s class in the fourth grade the first time I remember hearing the word geography.  I’ll never forget our two major assignments.  One assignment was to memorize the names of all 67 counties in Alabama.  (To this day, I can look at the number on an Alabama automobile license plate and tell you with 90% accuracy which county the car is from.)  The other assignment was to learn the names of all 50 states and be able to identify and label each state on a U.S. map.

Later that year we were introduced to the seven continents, and several of the major countries.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but in that fourth grade class, I was beginning to learn how big the world is…. that it is much bigger than my hometown and larger than my home state.

All of these years later, as I continue studying the Bible, I am still learning how big the world is.  In Acts 1:4-8, as Jesus promised his disciples the ongoing inner strength of the Holy Spirit, he gave to them a memorable geography lesson as he explained how the faithful witness of his followers could and would make a positive impact locally and globally.

This Sunday as we focus on that occasion, When Jesus Taught Geography, we will share in a colorful parade of flags from around the world as we celebrate and reaffirm our commitment to International Missions.   Once again as a church family we will covet to pray for and support those missionaries who extend our witness to the “uttermost parts of the world.”

During this holiday season, Amanda and I invite you to join us in giving a generous gift to International Missions in honor of Lottie Moon.  On your envelope you may designate your gift to your preferred mission partner.

This Sunday afternoon at five o’clock I will be sharing a General Introduction to Jehovah’s Witnesses as we conclude our discipleship series on Religions of the World.

Don’t forget that this is the week we have Wednesday on Tuesday, as we meet for family dinner, AWANA, and children’s choirs at First Baptist.  After dinner, we invite you to travel with us to First Presbyterian Church for our annual Community Thanksgiving Service which begins at 6:30.  I will be sharing a message on The Hidden Power of Gratitude from I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

The holiday season is here.  Make it a priority each week to participate in Bible study and worship as we discover more about God’s love and grace.

‘Tis the Season for Serving

We are entering the holiday season.  The countdown is on.  As I write these words there are 14 days until Thanksgiving, 17 days until Advent, 44 days until Christmas, and 51 days until New Years.

In November our theme is Serving with Gladness.   At First Baptist, we are at our best when we are serving. During the holidays, there are numerous opportunities for you to serve through missions and ministries of our First Baptist Family. Here are just a few of the places you can serve during the holiday season:

• Fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse.
• Provide non-perishable food items or a monetary contribution to Samaritan Hands.
• Give a generous gift to the World Missions Christmas Offering in honor of Lottie Moon.
• Work at The Challenger Award Banquet.
• Work at The Success Store at Ali Yniestra.
• Sponsor a child from the Allie Yniestra Tree.
• Get connected with Backpack Buddies.
• Serve the Annual Homeless Luncheon.

While the holidays present seasonal opportunities for serving, First Baptist offers opportunities for you to serve all year long.  Here are just a few examples of where you might consider serving:

• Serve as a listener for AWANA .
• Assist with a Children’s Choir.
• Volunteer in the Clyde Bizzell Library and Media Center.
• Serve as a cart driver on Sunday mornings.
• Serve as a bus driver one or more Sundays per month.
• Join our Greeter’s Ministry.
• Work at Samaritan’s Hands.
• Serve in the Media Ministry assisting with audio, video, or our television ministry.

This Sunday we are focusing on Matthew 9:9-13 as we talk about Building a Hospital for Sinners.

I look forward to seeing you as we gather for worship and Bible study, and as we explore ways we can serve with gladness.

Answering the Call

In November we begin a new series entitled Serve with Gladness.  This Sunday we begin by asking, “When God Calls, Will You Answer?” as we look at the call of Samuel in I Samuel 3:1-10.  The message will encourage us to take a closer look at how we can respond to the call of God upon our life.

Answering the Call is also the emphasis of the report and recommendation presented by our Deacon Ministry Task Force last Wednesday evening.  This recommendation was unanimously approved by our Administrative Council and our Deacons in their October meetings.  The recommendation will be presented for approval of our church family during the Quarterly Congregational Meeting on Wednesday November 10.

Let me share with you a little bit of history and a few highlights.  In November of 2008, I presented a challenge to our congregation that, among other things, urged us to “upgrade our model of organization.”

In 2009, at the request of the Administrative Council, then deacon chair Comer Knight appointed a Deacon Ministry Task Force consisting of John Hodges (ch), Allen Turner, Bart Neal, Dr. Bob Wilson, Comer Knight, Larry Hicks, and Ron Jackson. This team was charged to look at ways we might upgrade the way we as a congregation and deacons organize ourselves for ministry.

Here are a few brief highlights:

What contributed to the Task Force’s proposal?

• Prayer and study of scripture.
• Interviews with leaders of ten churches of similar size.
• Reflection on our uniqueness and diversity at FBCP.

What is the major emphasis of the upgrade? To organize ourselves around three biblical roles:

• Service: Deacon Ministry, Ministry Teams and Mission Projects.
• Discipleship: Sunday morning Bible Study groups, weekday small groups, and a variety of workshops/training events.
• Administration: Administrative Council, Committees

What are the notable changes in the upgrade proposal?

• To elect 12 deacons per year, a maximum of 36.
• To expand the Administrative Council to 16 voting members.
• To expand the “Committee on Committees” to the “Committee for Placement,” a committee that will help members match their gifts and passions with places of service throughout the year.

During the next few days, be welcome to talk to any member of the Deacon Ministry Task Force to ask questions and to get clarification on any part of the recommendation. Also, thank the members of the Task Force who have spent countless hours meeting, praying, and dialoguing about how we can be a more effective congregation.

I am excited about the upgrade recommendation, primarily because our Task Force, our Administrative Council, and our Deacons are excited about the upgrades.  I think it will give us more efficient ways to answer the call, do effective ministry, and provide dependable administrative leadership.

Don’t forget to change your clocks this Saturday night or early Sunday morning.  We will “fall back” one hour, marking an end to Daylight Savings Time.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study, and as we explore ways we can answer God’s call.