Benefits

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”

Psalm 103:2 (ESV)

I’ve heard of gratitude journals for years. I decided to purchase one to see how I can benefit from it. Some studies have found that gratitude practices, like keeping a “gratitude journal” or writing a letter of gratitude, can increase people’s happiness and overall positive mood. 

First, let’s define gratitude. Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough define gratitude as a two-step process: 1: “recognizing that one has obtained a positive outcome” and 2: “recognizing that there is an external source for this positive outcome.” 

Researchers call activities such as gratitude journals “gratitude interventions.” 

“A growing number of studies have tested the efficacy of various practices (“interventions”) designed to boost gratitude, such as counting one’s blessings (gratitude journaling) and writing letters of gratitude to people whom one has never properly thanked (“gratitude letters). These studies have helped to identify many of the benefits of gratitude described above.”

Today’s scripture encourages us to bless the Lord and not forget his benefits. He goes on to list a lot of benefits. Among them, forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy….

Being specific about the benefits God gives us causes our hearts to be so happy. Recently, I had a very tiring day. I was extremely tempted to complain. I thought about the challenge and I held it back. I prayed instead. I grabbed my gratitude journal at the end of the day and I listed three benefits God gave me that day. I went to sleep so much happier. 

What are the benefits you can thank God for?

Prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Thank you Lord for all the blessings I have. They are too many to count but I need to count them so my heart can rejoice in your goodness. (list your blessings here. List at least 3). Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.