Gratitude Conquers Fear

The Bible tells us we should not fear or worry about anything, and we need to pray about everything in every circumstance. What is more, regardless of what we are experiencing, we are instructed to include gratitude within our prayers.

Philippians 4:6 (AMP)

⁶Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Colossians 4:2 (AMP)

²Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

There are many types of prayers:

• Formal prayers on bended knee and with hands folded, head bowed in supplication. Some people believe that God only hears these prayers.
• Foxhole prayers that usually contain the phrase, “God, help me out of this mess and I will NEVER (insert the offense here) again.” For many, this is the only prayer they know.
• Nighttime prayers where we review our day, thankful for the past events and replaying the moments for which we should make an amends. For these people, prayer is a routine way of life.

Meister Eckhart, the infamous Christian mystic of the 14th century, said, “If the only prayer you say in your whole life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”

Surely, the easiest form of prayer is “Thank You.”

• The traffic light changes to green as we approach a busy intersection, we say “Thank You!”
• A parking spot appears at the grocery store’s front door, we say “Thank you!”
• The doctor announces that the tests were negative, we say “Thank you!”

How many times do we mutter “Thank You” each day, mindlessly and without conviction? What would happen if we put emotion, feeling and structure behind those little “spiritual shout-outs?”

It appears that the answer can now be measured and validated by scientific research. The benefits of gratitude are empirical according to two university happiness researchers in a 2004 report. In the subsequent book, “The Psychology of Gratitude,” Robert A. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough, call gratitude “the forgotten factor in happiness research.”

Together, the two co-researchers from University of California, Davis and University of Miami, have discovered significant benefits of maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” such as:

• People who keep gratitude journals demonstrated greater benefits including more regular exercise, fewer physical problems, a general feeling of well-being including greater optimism.
• Keeping gratitude lists was linked to achieving personal goals.
• Young adults demonstrated the ability to use self-guided exercises to improve their alertness, enthusiasm and energy.
• Study participants were more likely to help individuals with personal problems.
• Being grateful was an ingredient in creating a belief in the universality of life.
• Material goods are less important to grateful individuals and they share their own possessions more.
• Grateful people experience more positive emotions like enthusiasm and happiness and fewer negative emotions such as depression and stress.

Amazingly, the key benefit discovered about gratitude is that it conquers fear.

That is right. It is impossible to be full of fear if you are truly grateful — you know the feeling, so grateful that your eyes well up with tears. That kind of gratitude can be cultivated. For every moment of fear, we can create a response of gratitude.

“Yes, but…”

Do not go there. Keep your but out of the way! Sure, you have problems. We all do. Yes, your situation is different and you are unique. However, fear can be foiled. Read the following example of a gratitude prayer, and pay close attention to the circumstances of its discovery.

“Lord, remember not only the men of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Remember rather the fruits we have brought, thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits we have bourne be their forgiveness.”

This prayer of gratitude was found on a scrap of paper in a rancid dormitory at the liberation of Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in Germany at the end of World War II.

Never did a more fearful, hopeless situation exist. Yet, there was gratitude in the midst of it conquering fear. It is a perfect example of the instructions given to us in the Bible. Now, your excuses are?

God Bless!

“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible”

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