Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 5:20

Just this week, I saw a Facebook post that feeling thankful lowers your stress by 23%. 

It sounded good, but I wanted to check it out. 

What I found excited me.

First, the statistic is true. I confirmed it in an article by the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. 

Second, Dr. Emmons is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, as well as frequent contributor for the Greater Good Magazine, an online publication of University of California, Berkeley. 

California — especially Berkeley — isn’t usually known for espousing biblical values. 

I don’t know if Dr. Emmons is a Christian, but he certainly endorses biblical principles. 

And I love it when we find common ground in culture to talk about the Bible. 

Our friends and family may be open to talking about gratitude and its many benefits, which can be an opening to share other Bible stories and principles. 

Here are some other benefits of gratitude:

• Strengthens immune system

• Lowers blood pressure

• Fosters better sleep

• Combats feelings of loneliness

You can find even more benefits when you click on the links to Dr. Emmons’ work. 

However, being thankful alone is not enough. We must be thankful to our Creator, God. 

I saw an episode of the reality show, “Alone,” where one contestant certainly showed gratitude but not to God. Every time she caught a fish, she kissed the fish and thanked it for being her meal. 

I thought it odd that she thanked the creation rather than our Creator.

Nonetheless, gratitude seems to be a hot topic right now. 

So use it to tell others about Jesus. 

There’s no better time to talk to people about gratitude than during Thanksgiving week. 

Lord, help us to be thankful at all times of the year.  

Stacy