Shawn Achor, a psychologist who teaches at Harvard University, suggests that we can train our brains to become more grateful by setting aside just five minutes a day for practicing gratitude. He cites a one-week study in which people were asked to take five minutes a day, at the same time every day, to write down three things for which they were thankful. They didn’t have to be big things, but they had to be concrete and specific, such as, “I’m thankful for the delicious Thai take-out dinner I had last night.” Or, “I’m thankful that my daughter gave me a hug.” Or, “I’m thankful that my boss complimented my work.” The participants simply expressed thanks for three specific things at the same time every day.

At the end of one month, the researchers followed up and found that those who practiced gratitude — including those who stopped the exercise after one week — were happier and less depressed. Remarkably, after three months, the participants who had been part of the one-week experiment were still more joyful and content. Incredibly, after the six-month mark, they were still happier, less anxious, and less depressed. The researchers hypothesized that the simple practice of writing down three thanksgivings a day over the course of a week primed the participants’ minds to search for the good in their lives. *

For what three things are you grateful today?

Listen to the first thing on the Apostle Paul’s list: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The gift to which Paul refers is the Son of God whom the Father gave to die for the sins of the world.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

The gift is “indescribable” because of the great depth of God’s love that He would give His Son to die for our sins.  “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NASB).

The gift is “indescribable” because of the blessings that God gives when we accept the Gift on His terms: the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21), eternal life (Romans 6:23), and all the other wonderful spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

To accept God’s Gift and receive these spiritual blessings, place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, continue to walk in the light of His Word as a way of life, for as you do, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7-9).

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Won’t YOU accept the Gift of God’s love through your trusting obedience?  Jesus will become the first thing in your list of blessings for which you are thankful – today and for eternity.

-- David A. Sargent

* Jeffrey Arthurs, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; source: Ken Shigematsu, Survival Guide for the Soul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018), pp. 114, 115 as quoted in Preaching Today: https://www.preachingtoday. com/illustrations/2018/october/gratitude-training-101.html

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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