UCBerkeley did a study on gratitude and its effects on our mental and emotional health:

• Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions – we let go of negative emotions as we consider the good already present in our lives

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Aeschylus

“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” – Kristin Armstrong, Olympic cyclist

“Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.” – Rabbi Hyman Schachtel

[James 1:17-18]

“17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God, our father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”

[Romans 2:4]

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from sin?”

Three Truths About God And His Goodness

1. NO ONE IS SELF-MADE

Remember that verse in the Torah? “Be careful saying you have built your life with your own two hands. Who gave you those hands?!”

[Matthew 7:9-11]

“9 You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Here’s the Problem: as long as I think I’m the source of all that is good in my life, it will continue producing in me a spirit of scarcity.

Here’s the solution: when I see everything as a gift from my Father, I recognize that he can keep on giving

2. GOD IS THE GIVER AND OWNER

[Psalm 24:1]

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all of its people belong to Him.”

[Hebrews 3:4]

“For every house has a builder, but the builder of everything is God.”

[1 Timothy 6:17]

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

[Philippians 4:19]

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

3. GRATITUDE IS THE RECOGNITION OF GOD’S PROVISION

• “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
• “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
• “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)

 [Romans 8:28]

“we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose for them.“ 

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