Thanks and praise

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” Psalm 30:4 (ESV) 

The science of gratitude is quite compelling. In a study by McCraty and colleagues (1998), 45 adults were taught to “cultivate appreciation and other positive emotions.” The results of this study showed that there was a mean 23% reduction in the stress hormone cortisol after the intervention period. During the use of the techniques, 80% of the participants exhibited an increased coherence in heart rate variability patterns, indicating reduced stress. In other words, these findings suggest that people with an “attitude of gratitude” experience lower levels of stress.*

I used to watch a TV preacher lady who would say “Complain and remain. Praise and be raised.” I guess she was right after all. When I discovered stress was a problem for me, I was a 26-year-old newlywed. Marriage was amazing. Making the other areas of my life work was stressful. I didn’t practice a lot of gratitude back then. In the future, I am going to practice gratitude on purpose to help manage stress.

The Bible had a lot to say about praise and thanks. Growing up United Methodist, we often recited The Great Thanksgiving. Now that I think of it, that old text is so relevant for daily life but especially for this Holy Week. During the Great Thanksgiving, the pastor stands behind the Lord's table and says: “The Lord be with you.”

The congregation responds:

“And also with you.”
“Lift up your hearts.” (The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.”
“We lift them up to the Lord.”
“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.”
“It is right to give our thanks and praise.”
“It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty (almighty God), creator of heaven and earth. By your appointment the seasons come and go…”

The combination of thanks and praise is uplifting. I just have to do it on purpose, from the heart.

Prayer: God, I know you are with me. I lift my heart to you. I give you thanks and praise. You are the lifter of my head and heart. Help me to continue to have a gratitude habit in season and out of season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/