A RECIPE FOR JOY: Thanksgiving and Giving

It is Christmas time again! It’s a time for fellowship, food, fun and joy. But it can also be a stressful, sad, and tiring time for some. However, one of the reasons I love this time of the year is that most people seem to be more loving, giving and happier, the air feels lighter and the joyous Christmas tunes lift us up during the hustle and bustle. If only it could be Christmas all year round. But what if we could carry this abundant joy that we have this time, all throughout the year by just adding two essential ingredients to our daily lives?

Thanksgiving and generosity are truly life changing habits that we should incorporate into our daily lives. These have brought such joy to my life recently and I’m sure they will bring joy to your life too.

The First Ingredient: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks; it is grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favours, especially towards God. – Dictionary.com

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT, emphasis added)

Life will always have its challenges but the practice of gratitude in the midst of difficult circumstances shifts our perspective to a positive one and allows us to rest in God’s goodness and love. Gratitude not only helps us spiritually and emotionally but also mentally and physically.

A study done by Patrick L Hill, et al. demonstrated that adults who had a disposition towards gratitude had improved psychological health and were more likely to take part in healthy activities such as exercising and eating healthy, and generally took better care of their health.

Also, according to Robert A. Emmons, “practicing gratitude has been shown to lower blood pressure levels, improve immune function and facilitate more efficient sleep. It reduces your lifetime risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.”

Moreover, practicing gratitude produces feel good hormones within our body like serotonin and dopamine. Expressing thanks and appreciation to our loved ones also improves our relationships. Healthy relationships lead to less drama and more joy in our lives.

Are you practicing thanksgiving daily?

The Second Ingredient: Giving

You may ask, are there really any health benefits to giving, especially if you’re just trying to make ends meet? Wouldn’t that make you more stressed?

According to Psych Alive, many studies have showed that generosity actually reduces stress levels, increases one’s sense of purpose, reduces depression and increases one’s life span. It also promotes social connection and better relationships in the long run. When you give, it not only blesses the receiver but also causes you, the giver, to feel good about yourself.

Dictionary.com defines generosity as the willingness or liberty in giving. I believe that it is not limited to giving of money but also of your time, and material things that you may have. When we give, from our little or abundance, it truly blesses others and God blesses us in return.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT)

Be careful however, not to give just so that you can feel good about yourself and get a blessing in return. We should give out of love and concern for others, to be able to meet a need and to also show appreciation for others.

How are you giving this Christmas season and all throughout the year?

The Final Outcome: Joy

“You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.” (Psalm 4:7 NLT)

Whether you have a little or a lot this Christmas season, I encourage you to give thanks every day and give more every day. Then, watch the joy start to overflow in your heart and life.

I challenge you this month to daily:

• Write down one thing you are grateful for and,
• Do one generous act for someone, whether that be giving money, a gift, a sentimental item, food, a hug, an encouraging message, or just quality time.

Have a wonderful Christmas season and a joy filled 2023 everyone. God bless you!

Yours truly,

Dr. Esther Trotman (aka Star)

References: https://www.comforcare.com/blog/Power-of-Thanksgiving—The-Health-Benefits-of-Gratitude_AE115.html#:~:text=Emmons%2C%20professor%20of%20psychology%20at,and%20facilitate%20more%20efficient%20sleep.