The Gratitude Muscle! A 5 Day ChallengeSample

Did you know that scientific research has shown the way that gratitude impacts every facet of your life?

In 2013, two researchers published a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology about the impact of practicing gratitude. Later, Johns Hopkins University summarized that research.

"People who are grateful benefit from less stress, a general sense of well-being, improved cognition and social performance, and reduced risks for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Physical health benefits can include lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and more restful sleep. A strong sense of appreciation helps develop a healthy mind, making us more inclined to make healthy decisions for our bodies. The cultivation of gratitude can also deepen our relationships and help us to be more forgiving of one another."

As you engage in this gratitude challenge, consider the impact of adding those three little items to your list every day. My experience validates this experience. My stress decreased when I started building my gratitude muscle while working multiple jobs, and my thinking clarified. I lost weight, fell asleep faster, and had a new level of appreciation for my wife.

Jesus didn't promise us that we'd experience the easiest of circumstances. In fact, in John 16, He promised that we would have trouble. But, earlier in John 10, He told his followers that He came to give them an abundant life. So, how can both of those things be true?

The answer to that question lies in the practice of gratitude and the attitude of contentment. In Philippians 4, Paul said he'd learned the secret of being content. He wrote these words from a prison cell! Paul ends the letter by describing how God's peace has replaced worry in his heart. Since Paul's circumstances didn't change, contentment must be found in some other way.

Reading the book of Philippians shows me that thankfulness changed the mental, emotional, and spiritual state of Paul, even as his physical state of incarceration remained unchanged.

Adding three more items to your list today might seem insignificant. However, review that list from Johns Hopkins and consider Paul's experience. You cannot always change your circumstances, but you can change your attitude when you exercise your gratitude muscle!

On the final day of this plan, I will share my favorite Scripture text about gratitude!