From the Inside Out

Surely you’ve met them—those glowing saints whose eyes always twinkle, smiles always dazzle, and whose faith and attitude always inspire.  We’re left wondering, how did they grow that glow?

No doubt it begins with strong trust in Christ, cultivated by scripture-study and prayer. They apply what they’ve learned about:

• Giving all their concerns to God, knowing he truly cares
• Focusing on the positive, the joyful, the beautiful
• The pleasure of giving such gifts as time, encouragement, and a listening ear
• Practicing God’s presence to experience his peace, strength, and more [1]

But researcher Michael Zigarelli discovered another reason why godly saints radiate joy: gratitude. He found that expressing continual gratitude to God actually energizes the practice of other spiritual disciplines, and altogether they contribute to growing that saintly glow [2].

Insightful author, Ann Voskamp concurs:

“The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world” [3].

In addition, author and theologian Warren Wiersbe would have us know:

“That’s all fine and good,” someone might say. “But right now I see very little to be thankful for. We’ve had one financial setback after another, my job is more stressful than ever, our son is having a hard time in school, and my brother and sister-in-law just announced they’re separating. ‘See what I mean?”

Yes, we do. Some seasons of life include multiple troubles all at once.

But take note of this good news: simply expressing thankfulness (even if we don’t feel grateful) has been proven to create positive change in our brain chemistry [4].

And we find: continual gratitude contributes to a sense of WELL-BEING.

Another surprise?

Continual gratitude provides HEALING for the wounds of distress [5] —especially appreciation for who our Savior God is and what he has done.

Think of it: He created all things! He sustains all things! He has supremacy over all things! He is our Emmanuel (God with us), our Good Shepherd, our Wonderful Counselor, and so much more [6]!

God hears us as we pray, loves us with an everlasting love, empowers us through the Holy Spirit, fills us with hope, and anchors us through the storms of life [7]. 

And as we cultivate continual gratitude for such realities, we find PEACE.

The truly thankful person

is a truly peaceful person.

—Lysa TerKeurst [8].

It makes sense. The more we thank God for all the benefits he bestows, the firmer our faith-stance in his competence to sustain us.

Third, continual gratitude cultivates JOY.

Turn [your] eyes toward Jesus and everything shines—

even the tough spots morph into excitement. . .

How is he going to solve my problem this time? . . .

When I am consciously aware of him,

life fills with wonder and wonder brings joy [9].

What better way to remain aware of God and expand joy-inducing wonder than with gratitude?

Last, continual gratitude “lays out planks of TRUST” [10].

Think of all the moments he’s been faithful, when:

• an impossible situation worked out amazingly well
• a potentially difficult conversation turned out to be restorative and beneficial
• an inspired idea came to mind that cleverly solved a problem
• a surprising bargain materialized, supplying a current need
• a string of just-so-happened circumstances provided the answer to a prayer

Yes, some will call these coincidences. Around here we call them God-incidences, because “whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” [11].

And every time we acknowledge such gifts of provision, protection, and guidance, we lay another plank of trust, constructing a strong bridge of faith from yesterday into tomorrow [12].

Now we know. Each of us can grow a glow as we embrace the power of gratitude.

And isn’t November—with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away—the perfect month to grow that glow a little bit brighter?

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[1] 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:8; Acts 20:35; Isaiah 26:3 NLT

[2] https://godsmissionarychurch.org/2018/10/26/growing-through-thankfulness/

[3] One Thousand Gifts, 58.

[4] https://www.focustsoul.com/blog/signs-of-maturity-in-christ-part-1-gratitude-and-joy

[5] https://cct.biola.edu/spirituality-suffering-gratitude/, emphasis added

[6] Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 1:23; John 10:14; Isaiah 9:6

[7]  1 Peter 3:12; Jeremiah 31:3; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 6:19

[8] Embraced, 256.

[9] Deanna Chadwell, Soul Bare, 82-84.

[10] Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, 151.

[11] James 1:17 NLT

[12] Voskamp, 152.

Art & photo credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.shutterstock.com.

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