December 2024
THE BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE
“At sea in a dense fog” is how Helen Keller described her life after losing her eyesight and her hearing at the age of 19 months—permanently blind and deaf for the rest of her life—yet, at the end of it all, she could say: “So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I do not have.”
Gratitude is a choice—an antidote to negative self-talk.
René and I went out for our morning run when we saw some workmen on the side of the road, so we stopped to express our gratitude.
“Hi guys, we just want to thank you for all your hard work,” I announced. “You men are improving our neighbourhood, and we stopped to express our gratitude.”
They stood their staring, mouths gaping in disbelief. “Huh? Uh, wait… what?”
Their supervisor asked what was going on.
“We just noticed how hard you and your crew are working, and we stopped to say thank you for all your hard work.”
Another shocked face.
When it finally sunk in that we were serious, each man began to smile.
“Do you realize that no one ever thanks us?” their supervisor stated. “Most people are usually angry with us for tearing up the ground in front of their houses. They don’t understand that we are improving their lives, making the neighbourhood safer. Thank you for saying thank you.”
“You’re so very welcome!” René affirmed.
Then we continued our run, hearing their joyful voices chattering behind us: “Wow! Can you believe that! They really made my day!”
To tell you the truth, our simple expression of gratitude made our day too.
Professor Shawn Achor, writer of The Happiness Advantage, has determined that gratitude is the single greatest influencing factor in happiness. The Ministry of Healing supports this finding: “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise” (pg. 251).
If I was to challenge you to live one day without the benefit of anyone else’s effort in your life, just one day, what would that day look like?
For starters, you would have nothing to wear, unless you make all your own clothing and manufacture the cloth and the machinery to create the materials and the patterns, and you also style and stitch the materials together. Chances are that almost none of us would qualify.
And you wouldn’t have a bed to get out of, unless you made the mattress and all the materials and sheets and blankets that make up your bed. There would be no carpet or tiles on the floor when you woke up, and probably no house, unless you built the entire house and manufactured the materials yourself.
There is nothing that you or I can do at any point that is not benefiting from someone else’s effort, from someone else’s contribution to your life, whether you see it or whether you don’t, whether you’re thinking of it or whether you’re not.
The Bible reveals, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1).
Both science and the Bible reveal the countless benefits that you and I receive when we simply say, “Thank you.”
To hear more benefits, you can watch It Is Written Canada this month on CTV or the dozens of other networks where It Is Written Canada is aired across Canada and around the world. Or go to iiw.ca or It Is Written Canada’s YouTube videos and click on the program entitled: “The Benefits of Gratitude.”
– Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
DECEMBER 7
Getting to Know Jesus Again after Failure
Even when we have known Jesus, we sometimes need a fresh look at His grace and a new appreciation of His love for us, especially when we have made a shipwreck of our lives.
DECEMBER 14
An Undeserved Curse
Have you ever had a dream that just keeps haunting you? What about a nightmare where the devil shows up and threatens to end your life? Salina Irrgang had just such an experience.
DECEMBER 21
The Benefits of Gratitude
Both the Bible and Science agree that gratitude really is good for you. But what about if you are going through a very dark moment in your life? How then can you give thanks? How could the angels sing praises when God’s only Son came to a world that was hellbent on rejecting Him?
DECEMBER 28
A Star is Born
When young Joey Aguilar and his boy band were offered a contract with a major music producer in Beverly Hills, California, it was a dream come true for this young aspiring star from British Columbia.
It Is Written Canada Celebrates 50 Years!
It has been 50 years since Henry Feyerabend launched his first TV broadcast in Canada. To enjoy our classic programs with Pastor Henry Feyerabend, please visit us at iiw.ca and click on IIWC Classics.
THIS MONTH’S FREE OFFER – Come Home, by Don Maclafferty
In Come Home, Don MacLafferty invites you to discover God’s plans for your family and the place you call home. Explore timeless principles that will help you love your family well and safeguard your home in this chaotic time. Find God’s vision for what your home could become by His love, His grace, and His power.
CHICKPEA CURRY BAKED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 sweet potatoes or Russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- thumb-sized piece ginger, finely grated
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp tikka masala paste
- 2 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 2 x 400g can chickpeas, drained
- lemon wedges and cilantro leaves, to serve
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat oven to 400°F. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork, place them on a baking tray and roast in the oven for 45 minutes or until tender when pierced with a knife.
- Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 1 minute until fragrant, add diced onion and sauté until softened.
- Put the garlic, ginger and green chili into the pan, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the spices and tikka masala paste and cook for a further 2 minutes until fragrant, then pour in the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then pour in the chickpeas and cook for a further 20 minutes until thickened.
- Put the roasted potatoes on four plates and cut open lengthways. Spoon over the chickpea curry and squeeze over the lemon wedges. Season, then scatter with cilantro before serving.