Life Underpinned by Gratitude

The science-based benefits of gratitude are many, including enhanced immunity, mental and emotional health, mood, outlook, and even aiding in the recovery from illness and disease. In the current climate of uncertainty and strife, it is remarkable to realize that gratitude improves our ability to cope, allowing us to thrive (not just survive), boosting resilience. Dr. David Ireland, Christ Church’s lead Pastor and author, presents that gratitude is a choice and can emerge under pressure.  He further offers brain training, biopsychosocial-spiritual health-enhancing practices to unlock the power of gratitude.

1)      Gratitude is available; pause, notice, and contemplate what is right instead of fixating on what is missing. This allows us to move our attention to the myriad of things that are going well (breathing, walking, loving, smiling), no matter that there are plenty of painful challenges.

2)      Gratitude is a lens; it doesn’t change what you see, it changes how you interpret what you see. Seeing a difficulty or experiencing heartache through the lens of improved strength and deeper faith can heighten the interpretation.

3)      Gratitude is an anchor; it stabilizes the inner life when circumstances are unpredictable.

4)      Gratitude is a thermostat setting the emotional climate of your heart instead of acting and reacting to what is going on.

5)      Gratitude is a filter that screens out bitterness and discouragement before they can grow in you.

6)      Gratitude is a weapon disarming entitlement, silencing complaint and weakening despair.

It becomes clear that we have a choice, a say, in how we encounter this life; we can employ productive guiding principles that contribute to holding steady, embracing blessings and pressing on.