Freedom 2024
Thankful
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Studies have shown the amygdala and hippocampus are activated by feelings of gratitude. These areas in the brain regulate your bodily functions, emotions and memory. Which literally means: you can’t be grateful and angry, fearful, or anxious at the same time. Gratefulness supersedes those emotions.
Discussion Point #1: Does anyone have an example of a blessing happening and there was overwhelming gratitude shown or you yourself felt thankful? Or when God’s goodness trumped the situation and you were blessed?
Psalm 118:1 1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever
Discussion Point #2: What are some things the Bible says about being thankful or grateful?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP) 16Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
This verse is saying in every circumstance be thankful, think of something to be thankful for.
Science backed up God’s word. Be thankful in fear, be thankful when anxiety is attacking you, be thankful you are loved by Jesus.
I once heard someone say, “What if whatever you were thankful for the night before was what you woke up with the next day?”.
Discussion Point #3: When we pray: How are we supposed to ask God for what we need in our lives?
Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) 6Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
When we thank God it changes our actual brain, it renews our mind!
When we are thankful to the God of peace and are assured He will give us what we need wether it’s: money, healing, or peace. God has got us!
When we are thankful it renews our mind; not only spiritually, but scientifically; because you can’t be thankful and anxious at the same time.
Romans 12:2 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Challenge for the Week: Find something to be grateful for (i.e. good, family, your bed). Whatever you can be thankful for, start there and see what else you can become thankful for. Then, when you pray, act as if you have it and thank God for it.