THANKSGIVING
Gratitude is an attitude. It’s something one can cultivate and nourish, and there are benefits in doing so. Benefits for the body, the mind and the soul.
Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank Me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe. [Quran 14:7]
God tells us to thank Him, and when we do, it benefits our soul. It also benefits our body, our physical well-being, our happiness; because God tells us if we are grateful for the things God gives us, then He will give us more. What a wonderful deal!
Research shows that a sense of gratitude can actually lower blood pressure, decrease your risk of heart disease, and boost your immune system. Grateful people tend to take better care of themselves — eating healthier and exercising more regularly. Grateful people are more positive and happier, so your circle of friends will grow, simply because you’re more fun to be around.
How can we improve our gratitude attitude? It’s really pretty simple. We have to concentrate on the positive, not dwell on the negative. We all have difficulties in our lives, times that are challenging. And we can react to them essentially in two ways. We can grumble and complain, argue and fuss, in other words be completely negative. OR we can take those challenges and turn them into positives.
Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Nothing is accidental. It’s all in God’s control. So, if we believe that God is Merciful and Good, then it stands to reason that the things He puts in our lives are for our good, even if they may appear “bad”.
You had a flat tire on the way to work. It made you very late and you were upset and anxious. Perhaps unbeknownst to you there was a bad traffic accident on your route. Without the flat tire and the delay it caused, you would have been right there, involved in the crash. God knew and He spared you that much greater difficulty.
We all know people who have been struck down with a devastating illness. Some react with anger, cursing their fate. Some react with joy, thankful to be alive for as long as they are, using every minute to worship God, connect with friends and prepare for the end. Which one do you think is having the easier time? Our attitude of gratitude can make any bad situation much better.
So, as Thanksgiving approaches here in the US, it’s a wonderful time to take stock of all we have to be thankful for. We are so blessed. George Washington urged all Americans to “acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.” To dedicate a specific day in November “to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” And Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday, “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
Yes, we can enjoy turkey and football and family and friends, but always remember that God is the Provider of all. Be thankful to Him.
You shall glorify and praise your Lord, and implore Him for forgiveness. He is the Redeemer. [Quran 110:3]
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will delight and rejoice in you;
I will sing hymns to your name, Most High. [Psalm 9:1–2]
