The power of gratitude
by MARCIA HUFSTADER
member of Third Church of Christ, Scientist
Grand Rapids
Every day the news is filled with signs of anger, resentment, uncertainty and dishonesty. What is there to be grateful for, and does gratitude do any good? Sometimes it takes searching our heart, searching our inner thoughts, to feel a deep sense of gratitude, a feeling of profound thanks for all that is good. Starting with the fact that God is good and therefore can produce only good, opens up wonderful vistas.
Being grateful every time we see an expression of happiness and peace will begin to replace the anger that we hear about. Understanding God’s immeasurable gifts to everyone will replace the resentment we see or feel. Knowing that God, good, is in control and perfectly governing His “image and likeness” will remove uncertainty. Recognizing that we are complete ideas of God, equipped with all that we need to fulfill our purpose, dishonesty can be wiped out.
Looking for and recognizing all the good going on in day-to-day life, is an action step that brings our life into harmony with God, divine Mind. This action is a step of gratitude that results in blessings, because we are more aware of God’s presence. With these blessings we feel free of anger, and we want to help others. We have no resentment; bitterness falls away, and we feel at peace. That peaceful feeling is an action that attracts others you can help. When thoughts are filled with gratitude, there is no room for any other thoughts to abide. Yes, being grateful has wonderful results.
Christ Jesus set a great example of gratitude by actively expressing thanks “before” the results were seen. So, even though things don’t look so great in the news, if we all actively give thanks right now for what we know to be true about our God-given peace, love, certainty and honesty, it will be an action step that makes a difference.
“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.” Mary Baker Eddy writes about this idea in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Gratitude is a way of life.
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