Reeves Raley November Gratitude a game-changer pt 1

Char Sandberg writing in this month’s newsletter for Meijer Clinic that gratitude can be an antidote for fear. With the coming of COVID-19, we have undergone a number of changes where flexibility is required by everybody.

Now we are in the holiday season where there will be many who will experience the holidays alone. This forced loneliness in isolation for many is just one of the casualties of war with this virus.

We may feel powerless to do anything about it at first but Char reminds us “God has not given a spirit of fear but of love, of power and of sound mind” second Timothy 1:7. We can have many negative emotions running rampant right now. Anxiety, fear, loneliness, if we feel alone and the holidays we often think so absolutely with the feeling that we are the only person experiencing this loneliness. Negative thinking often operates in the area of absolutes. 

Well, first of all, challenge all negative thinking. Find something that contradicts it. In this case, many people are going through this the same problem. You are not alone. Many of us have the same feeling.

Char Sandburg points out expressing gratitude is a very biblical idea. Furthermore modern research and studies verify the power to change our brain expressing gratitude throughout the day as needed. She shares that we may not be able to change our circumstances but we can change our thoughts, feelings, and behavior that will make all the difference in how we go through our experiences. 

Take time to express your gratitude. Write them down. I often challenge myself to think of 3-5 things that I am thankful for. Even one thing can make a difference. Shifting to a solid idea of love, forgiveness, thankfulness can change the negative emotions to positive ones. The effect on the brain is enormous and the change of attitude gives us the strength to deal with those things changes that come.

https://www.meierclinics.com/gratitude-the-antidote-to-fear/

Char Sandberg was one of my therapists as I recovered from depression and anxiety and post-traumatic stress.  

How can you help people you know isolated from Covid and health issues? We all have a ministry to comfort.

Give thanks

In everything give thanks. For us to make this part of our practice we will have to give it some thought. I think that is the idea of it is to give it some thought. If we are shifting from a negative thought to a positive expression of thanks; we have to think it through. Our experience will show us how useful this is and will encourage us to practice 1 Thess. 5:18.

By the way, it is an easy verse to memorize & meditate on.