“The Most Psychologically Correct Holiday”
November 25, 2021
“The most psychologically correct holiday of the year is upon us.” So wrote John Tierney, author and journalist, a few years ago in a NY Times article. He was referring to Thanksgiving and the positive effects of giving thanks.
My birthday falls a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving so the timing of writing “thank you notes”, for gifts given, is so close to the holiday that I can write two greetings in one card-“Thank you for the birthday gift and Happy Thanksgiving!” According to modern psychology, my “attitude of gratitude” not only makes my mother happy because I’m doing what is proper, but it also boosts my health!
Psychologists have discovered that thankfulness has been linked to kinder behavior toward others, sounder sleep, better health, less depression and anxiety, and overall long-term satisfaction with life. Additionally, studies show that feeling grateful actually reduces aggressive behavior in people when provoked. Perhaps this explains why so many of us survive, without serious injury, the all too frequent drama of family gatherings!
Feelings of gratefulness not only positively impact physical and mental health, but they also positively affect spiritual health. Gratitude is a symptom of a healthy soul that is grateful for the gracious gifts of our generous Creator God. In Luke 17 we read the account of ten lepers who saw Jesus walking through a small village and called out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.” When Jesus heard them he told them to go and show themselves to the priest, the rightful one to determine if they indeed had leprous sores, and on the way they were healed.
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan“
Luke 17:15-16
Then Jesus asked,
“Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:17-19
Whether we agree it is the most psychologically correct holiday or not, Thanksgiving is indeed upon us! Why not lavish praise and thanksgiving on our Heavenly Father for ALL that He has given and continues to give to us? After all, you will be less provoked, much kinder, and you will sleep better too.
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
Happy Thanksgiving, 2021!