Dr. Rick Mandl - November 26, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving
Devotional Manuscript: Happy Thanksgiving
Message By Dr Rick Mandl, November 26, 2020
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family, just wanted to take a moment to wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. And speaking of Thanksgiving, here’s something for you to think about... The average American will consume 3,000 calories eating dinner today. Drinks, dessert, and appetizers can push that total up to 4,500 calories. Experts warn us that half the weight we gain during the holidays can stay with us into next summer. Now aren’t you glad it’s Thanksgiving Day? Actually, we should be.
That term “Happy Thanksgiving” is more than a wish for today—it’s a fact: those who give thanks are happier than those who don’t. CNN has a fascinating report on the positive effects of gratitude. If you’d like to read it for yourself, I’ve provided a link in the description right below the video. One of the things that their report reveals is that neuroscientists have discovered that thankful thoughts produce pleasure in the brain. That’s not surprising. But they have also found that such thoughts stimulate areas of the brain regulating stress.
In addition, multiple studies have shown the connection between gratitude and resilience. Counting blessings was a factor in managing post-traumatic stress for Vietnam War veterans, and it also served as an effective coping strategy for many after 9/11. The more grateful you are, the more likely you are to exhibit patience and self-control. College students who implemented methods for increasing gratitude such as keeping a gratitude journal slept longer and better. And couples who exhibit thankfulness tend to be more committed to each other and are more likely to remain in their relationships.
In short, thanksgiving is good for us. Plus, ungrateful people tend to be unhappy people. Nothing ever satisfies them. They never have enough. They are “when-and-then” people who think, “When such and such happens, then I’ll be happy.” But the Bible gives us a better way. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (GWT).
When you stop to give thanks today, everyone who sees you, sees your faith on display. The connection between giving thanks, and proclaiming our faith is one reason that thanksgiving is such a common biblical theme. Since we are called to “give thanks in all circumstances” that means that every circumstance can be a platform for praise and opportunity for ministry. In other words, if you truly give thanks today, someone else is more likely to give thanks tomorrow.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
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