Day 3: by Juno Smalley
In the context of the United States, our Thanksgiving holiday was almost two weeks ago. We know that having a thankful heart occurs if gratitude is more than a season, a day, or an endless buffet of wonderful food and hanging with family and friends. Thanksgiving is a mindset that is born within our hearts. Having a thankful heart of gratitude is a spiritual Holy Habit (discipline). There are numerous benefits associated with cultivating a heart of gratitude. Here are just a few of those benefits:
One key Holy Habit to prepare your heart for both Christmas and beyond is to develop a sincere heart of gratitude. You don’t have to be grateful for what specifically has happened to you; rather, it’s important to be grateful for the reality that Jesus is with you in the midst of all your circumstances, pain, confusion, fear, concern, or hurt, and in our gratefulness we find hope through Jesus.
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships
- Gratitude improves physical health
- Gratitude improves psychological health
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression
- Grateful people sleep better
- Gratitude improves self-esteem
- Gratitude increases mental strength
One key Holy Habit to prepare your heart for both Christmas and beyond is to develop a sincere heart of gratitude. You don’t have to be grateful for what specifically has happened to you; rather, it’s important to be grateful for the reality that Jesus is with you in the midst of all your circumstances, pain, confusion, fear, concern, or hurt, and in our gratefulness we find hope through Jesus.
Tuesday's Song
A newer song that we have been singing in our worship services for a few months, reminds us of the importance of gratitude. In a culture where it is easy to focus on disappointments, and what we don’t have, this song Gratitude will help create a heart of gratitude in you.
Tuesday's Prayer
Lord, amid a season filled with ‘wants’ and ‘needs,’ help me to remember that experiencing hope is built on a heart of gratitude.
Lord, help me to take time to click through posts, flip through calendars, look at photos, and search my heart as to the people in my life, at work, and in my sphere of influence who may need your hope and provisions this season. May this journey of remembering to have a heart of gratitude help me create time for you, so you can help me create time and space in my heart for others. May I be an instrument that shares your hope with those in my life.
Lord, help me to look at the interruptions in my day and disruptions in my plans as holy moments. Help me to remember that every moment is a holy moment orchestrated by you so that I can be used as your vessel, so my family, friends, and colleagues can catch a glimpse of the HOPE that only you can give.
Forgive me, Lord, for relying on my own skills, relationships, children, bank accounts, home, or cars as my hope. Renew my hope in you, Lord. May my life reflect your love and grace towards others and draw us all closer to you in this Advent season and beyond.
Lord, help us as your church to continue to be your church - focused on partnering with you to make a difference in the people's lives that you created and that you love. Give us a heart of gratitude. AMEN
Lord, help me to take time to click through posts, flip through calendars, look at photos, and search my heart as to the people in my life, at work, and in my sphere of influence who may need your hope and provisions this season. May this journey of remembering to have a heart of gratitude help me create time for you, so you can help me create time and space in my heart for others. May I be an instrument that shares your hope with those in my life.
Lord, help me to look at the interruptions in my day and disruptions in my plans as holy moments. Help me to remember that every moment is a holy moment orchestrated by you so that I can be used as your vessel, so my family, friends, and colleagues can catch a glimpse of the HOPE that only you can give.
Forgive me, Lord, for relying on my own skills, relationships, children, bank accounts, home, or cars as my hope. Renew my hope in you, Lord. May my life reflect your love and grace towards others and draw us all closer to you in this Advent season and beyond.
Lord, help us as your church to continue to be your church - focused on partnering with you to make a difference in the people's lives that you created and that you love. Give us a heart of gratitude. AMEN
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022