Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com
You didn’t have to love me like you did like you did like you did, but I thank you! ZZ Top
1. **Gratitude Rewires the Brain**
* Neuroscience research shows that practicing gratitude activates the brain’s **reward and motivation circuits** (especially the ventromedial prefrontal cortex).
* Over time, this strengthens positive neural pathways...
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com
You didn’t have to love me like you did like you did like you did, but I thank you! ZZ Top
1. **Gratitude Rewires the Brain**
* Neuroscience research shows that practicing gratitude activates the brain’s **reward and motivation circuits** (especially the ventromedial prefrontal cortex).
* Over time, this strengthens positive neural pathways, making it easier to focus on good things instead of negative ones.
* In essence, thankfulness literally reshapes the brain toward optimism and resilience.
2. **Boosts Physical Health**
* Studies have found that grateful people report **fewer aches and pains**, better sleep, and stronger immune function.
* Gratitude lowers stress hormones like cortisol, which in turn reduces inflammation—a root cause of many chronic diseases.
* Even writing in a “gratitude journal” has been linked to better long-term physical well-being.
3. **Improves Mental Health**
* Gratitude is strongly linked to **lower rates of depression and anxiety**.
* MRI scans show gratitude practice increases activity in brain regions linked to happiness and reduces rumination (the cycle of negative thinking).
* Just 5 minutes a day of reflecting on things you’re thankful for can boost long-term emotional balance.
### 4. **Strengthens Relationships**
* Expressing thankfulness increases levels of **oxytocin** (the “bonding hormone”).
* Couples, friends, and families who practice gratitude report deeper connection, trust, and satisfaction in their relationships.
* From an evolutionary perspective, gratitude fosters cooperation and social bonding, making communities more resilient.
### 5. **Enhances Resilience and Coping**
* Research after crises (like 9/11 or natural disasters) shows that people who focus on gratitude recover faster emotionally.
* Gratitude shifts attention from what is lost to what is still present, fueling **hope and perseverance**.
* This makes it a powerful psychological tool in overcoming adversity.
All through scripture God says when I bless you do not forget me and do not forget to thank me.
When the lepers were healed and only one came back to thank Jesus… that spoke volumes to Jesus - what did he say to the leper…. Your faith has made you whole… meaning salvation.
When we thank God it anchors us back to our source… back to God.
There are so many times I will be using something in my life… a guitar, a car a piece of clothing… that was given to me and It causes me to think back to that person and again say thank you… and I will even text them and say hey “I still use that guitar you gave me. Thank you so much for it”. That guitar anchors me to that person and continues to rewire my brain for faith.
Thanking God on a daily basis anchors me to his goodness, to his kindness, to his provision, to his character and even to his forgiveness. At that moment it invites his presence into an active role in my day.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)
- Thanksgiving reminds us that everything we have—life, provision, salvation—comes from God, not ourselves… and God loves it when we thank him and brag on him… trust me, he will get up and close to you to hear that. Take advantage of it.
