Devotional Thoughts

Source: In Times Like This, p. 340

Gratitude and Health

Key Text: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I. Introduction Since the tower of Babel, thanksgiving can be expressed in various languages. Maraming salamat po in Tagalog, Daghan kaayong salamat in Cebuano, Terima kasih banyak in Bahasa Indonesian, Arigato gozaimasu in Japanese, Kamsa hamnida in Korean, Muchos gracias in Spanish. Body In whatever language we may say it, thanksgiving is an expression of a grateful feeling or acknowledgement in appreciation of a benefit, favor, service, courtesy, or the like. But thanksgiving is not only a courteous recognition of a favor received, it also has a therapeutic value. It was Ellen G. White who wrote: Nothing tends to promote more health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings as much a duty as it is to pray (Ministry of Healing, p. 251). Appeal Instead of constantly complaining and growling and murmuring as we go through life, why dont we look more at the sunny side and thank God and our fellowmen for so many undeserved blessings which come our way? The food we eat. The water we drink. The air we breathe. The melody of the birds. The beauty of the sunset. The fellowship of friends. Our brothers and sisters in the community of faith. And many, many more. There is so much we should be thankful for. But some count their blessings on their fingers and their miseries on an adding machine.

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