I trust you’ve received your flu and Covid shots for 2025/2026. Viruses are already making their rounds in our area; maybe where you live too.
There’s another booster you may wish to add to the list, a very powerful one that impacts body, mind, emotions, and spirit: a gratitude booster.
Most of us know the research, that great benefit results from simply expressing gratitude: improved sleep, mood, and immunity as well as a decrease in depression, anxiety, chronic pain and risk of disease [1].
But some of us need a little boost now and then, to jump start gratitude. And what better time to make that our focus than during the season of Thanksgiving?
Such boosters would include:
Actively choosing to see what God has provided [2]
‘We just have to turn up our joy detectors, notice, and give credit to the God who provided [every blessing, big and small]” [3].
Try listing the eight adjectives in Philippians 4:8 and then name something God has provided for you that fits each adjective. For example:
- True: The daily delights God bestows, like morning sunbeams, apparent when I’m attentive
- Noble: The young neighbor who shoveled our walk
- Right: A car mechanic who treated us more than fairly
- Pure: A perfect fall day of cool temps and sunshine, enjoyed with a compelling book
- Lovely: a grandchild sitting on my lap
- Admirable: The warm hospitality offered frequently by our nearby son and daughter-in-law
- Excellent: The music and preaching at our church
- Praiseworthy: a golden peach sunset followed by a glowing harvest moon
Turn the contemplations into praise for even more benefit.
Thinking on God’s Character Traits
“Our ability to be thankful and content in all things is directly related to our understanding of God’s character” [4].
One website out of many that list God’s attributes:
https://www.blueletterbible.or/faq/attributes.cfm
Here you’ll find not only a list but relevant scriptures, and a brief explanation highlighting the wonder of each trait.
Replacing Negativity with Positivity
As soon as we’re aware our thoughts have turned gloomy, we can flip the switch to positivity. There are many things to be grateful for no matter what, including:
- I’m a Jesus follower, on my way to heaven (John 3:16)
- I’m a child of the King—the King of the universe (1 John 3:1)!
- He always supplies what I need (Philippians 4:19)
- God can redeem any situation and make me triumphant in any circumstance [5] (Romans 8:31-39)
- His presence with me always provides guidance, comfort, and more (Psalm 23:3-4)
- His love for me never wavers (Jeremiah 31:3)
- His goodness to me will never end (Psalm 23:6)
And as we express gratitude for these realities and many others, “confidence in God replaces complaint, which leads to rejoicing” [6].
Another way to augment positivity is to linger on pleasant memories, God’s promises, and how he’s already fulfilled them. God has equipped our brains with neuroplasticity, giving us the capability of changing how our minds function.
“When we linger on happy experiences or positive truths, these thoughts become encoded. Neural connections strengthen. The brain undergoes actual physical change” [7].
No wonder God inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2).
Now Imagine adding gratitude in the mix—gratitude for each memory, each promise, each fulfillment. The transformation is sure to be augmented.
* * *
St. Augustine wrote:
Doesn’t that sound like a happy way to live? These gratitude boosters will surely help each of us become that Alleluia—just in time for Thanksgiving.
[2] Melissa Krueger, The Envy of Eve, 134.
[3] Deanna Chadwell, contributor to Soul Bare, 82.
[4] Krueger, 49.
[5] Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck 148.
[6] Feinberg, 153.
[7] Jennifer Dukes Lee, The Happiness Dare, 199.
Image credits: http://www.commons.wikipedia.org; http://www.pexels.com (Joni Lorraine); http://www.wallpaperflare.com; http://www.pickpik.com (3); http://www.publicdomainpictures.net.
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And there are no negative side-effects❣
Excellent point, Mitch!
Great reminders. Happy Thanksgiving, Nancy!
Thank you, Linda, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you also!
Your thorough list of detailed options to encourage positivity is truly inspiring. Thank you, Nancy, for your continued efforts to share the many blessings God has provided. 🙂
Praise God you found inspiration here, Nancy, and thank you for your encouragement. That list could certainly be expanded–‘would make a worthy activity to work on during our quiet times!
Oh Nancy, I love this! I’m a huge believer in neuroplasticity. I also believe that almost every affliction can be a blessing. When I started thanking God for circumstances that I thought were undesirable, it was life-changing! Almost every negative experience, from a fight with your spouse or a lesson ideal job, can be a blessing.
Well done!
AMEN to that, Stacey! Thanking God for what we DIDN’T want helps us to find and then focus on the positives growing out of the situation. I’ve read that God wastes nothing, with Romans 8:28 as the biblical support for such a statement. That’s something to be thankful for right there!
I love your perspective on things❤️
Thank you, Cathy! (I feel the same about the perspectives you share on your blog!)
May we all embody that Alleluia from head to foot and stem to stern, Nancy! Being grateful in all circumstances is our key to the kingdom. Thanks so much for these inspirational words here, dear friend. Blessings!
AMEN, Martha! I wish I had learned long ago how powerful gratitude can be in our lives. I’m still learning to apply it more and more faithfully!
‘Actively choosing to see what God has provided.’
Love this, Nancy, and want to continue living this out throughout each passing day. It’s far to easy to just go on our way without seeing how gracious and kind and generous He’s been.
To name His goodnesses outloud, to praise Him for Who He is? Amen!
Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours, dear one.
Thank you for the Thanksgiving blessing, Linda! For me, the key word of that statement you quoted is actively–especially needful when circumstances aren’t going my way. It’s a discipline I’m still working on, but the results are worth the effort! Progress is occurring, as I see the turnaround from negative thoughts to positivity and praise happening much more quickly. I pray you’re able to enjoy Thanksgiving blessings with at least some of your tribe, Linda!
My kind of booster shot! My mantra recently is Thank you Lord anyway!! no matter what. Thank you!!
Wow–your mantra is a perfect fit with this blog post! May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with those you love, Jean!
Hi Nancy,
Lord, help our minds to bounce back from all the things that attack it. The Lord guide your mind. Happy Thanksgiving,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I agree. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Lakshmi. As always I must praise God for his inspiration!
What a great guide to help us focus on thankfulness with purpose. Just yesterday, I talked out loud on my way to do some grocery shopping. I talked to God and thanked Him for so many things that often go unnoticed if I’m not careful. It’s easy to get caught up in my to-do list and not be thankful for the fact that I HAVE a to-do list and the ability to DO my to-do’s. 🙂 And in this age no one thought a thing about my mouth moving as I drove alone in my car. They thought I was on my phone. Ha! Have a very blessed weekend, Nancy.
Kudos to you for taking advantage of those quiet moments in the car to talk to God. I too can get caught up in my to-do list. Thank you for sharing your idea to praise God we HAVE to-do lists and the ability to execute them. Also love that observation at the end of your comments (about talking aloud while driving alone). Another item for the gratitude list!
A gratitude booster is ALWAYS in order, even for the most positive of people.
Amen to that, Barbara!
A gratitude booster – I love it, Nancy! I read a devotion that spoke to me the other day. The more I believe it, the more I see it. You provided so many reminders to both believe and see!
Thank you, Wynne. I agree with that devotional. The more we believe in God’s faithfulness, goodness, compassion, and more, the more we see the evidence!
Gratitude is a great booster shot
That it is, Matt! It’s amazing the good simple gratitude can do!
A very appropriate reminder in these troubled times. Thank you for sharing what God has laid on your heart!
And thank you, Shauna, for taking the time to comment and sharing your encouragement.
I got a tremendous booster of gratitude last week when my Mom was in a car crash. She had fainted at the wheel. The EMT’s thought that they would have to use the jaws of life to get her out of the car, but it wasn’t necessary. (Her car was declared totaled.) After four nights in the hospital, she was well enough to come back home. She suffered no injuries other than some bruising. She had fainted due to severe pain from a diverticulitis attack. She is already almost back to herself, although a bit weak. Out of this incident God brought two of her great-granddaughters back together after years of estrangement. Out of a possible tragedy came a great blessing. PRAISE THE LORD! I am reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV), which says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Thanksgiving Blessings to you and your family, Nancy.
Oh, what a wonderful outcome God brought out of your mother’s calamity! Thank you so much for sharing the story, Cheri!
I appreciate how you reference Bible verses in your posts, Nancy. I was not familiar with Philippians 4:8. What a convenient list of ways to seek gratitude towards God!
I do like to include scripture references so if someone should say, “The Bible says THAT?!” they can look it up and see that yes, it does! / Isn’t that verse in Philippians a wonderful reminder? If we occupy our minds with all things excellent and praiseworthy we won’t have room for worry or negativity!