Aging With Gratitude: A Teachable Heart

Your hands have made me and established me; Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.

Psalm 119:73 AMP

Gratitude saved me—from hopelessness, self-pity, and victimization.

Some of my grandchildren enjoy creating objects with soft, moldable clay that doesn’t harden—pliable enough to reshape but hard enough to hold its form. Our brains are like clay, which can affect our hearts—the core of our being, where Jesus Christ lives.

Did you know that our thoughts can change the chemistry of our brains? Studies have demonstrated that negative thoughts (lies) show up as dark spots in our gray matter when x-rayed. Wholesome and positive thoughts (truth) can transform dark, dead spots into light, living spots. Throughout life, our brains can change and learn! That is real hope for aging folks! The scientific word for this phenomenon is neuroplasticity. 

For most of my life, my brain was blackened. I wanted to quit, but God wouldn’t give up on me.

With help from a biblical counselor, I replaced lies with truth from the Bible and encouragement from loved ones. My brain steadily responded! My heart softened, and my soul thrived. I chose to thank God and depend on Him more completely. . . for every new day. . . for His presence. . . Sometimes, I do not feel thankful, but I thank Him anyhow. 

God, may I continue to be teachable and shaped by Your wisdom. May I express gratitude and thank You for as long as You breathe air into my lungs.

 Karen Sims