WisconsinChristianNews.com Volume 26, Issue 5 The Transforming Power Of Thankfulness
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By Emily Myers September 2025
• He provides food and every good thing we enjoy. As we read these words, we can look back and see God’s mercy shown in the past — and find confi- dence that His mercy is still being poured out today. His great- est act of mercy
piece of furniture. This practice trains our eyes to notice blessings all around us. Over time, you may find yourself naturally living with a thankful heart, more up- lifted and more at peace, no matter your circum- stances. The truth is
come. It fills our days with peace. And as we look back at God’s mercy and promises, we can be assured that His mercy will never fail us in the future. So, let us not only count our bless- ings, but also choose to live in thank- fulness daily. May our hearts join with the psalmist: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.” Emily Myers and her husband, Daniel, live on a small farm in Missouri where they homeschool their seven children. Emily is a Certified Professional Midwife. Together, Emily and Daniel co-authored “Expressions of Thanksgiving,” a fam- ily devotional designed to cultivate hearts of gratitude through Scripture, song, and reflection. Daniel also illustrated the book with his original artwork.
Modern research increasingly con- firms what God’s Word has said all along: cultivating thankfulness is deeply beneficial for us. Studies show that living with a thankful heart re- duces stress, improves physical and mental health, strengthens relation- ships, and even promotes healing in the body. In contrast, the obsession with possessions and the constant pressure of comparison that fills today’s culture often feeds anxiety, dissatisfaction, and poor health. Our Creator designed us for thank- fulness. Over and over in Scripture, God calls His people to give thanks. One of the clearest examples is Psalm 136. This beautiful psalm be- gins with the joyful words: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.” Each of the twenty-six verses ends with the same refrain: “for His mercy endureth forever.” This repetition is not acci- dental — it is God’s way of helping us remember that His mercy truly never ends. The psalmist offers countless rea- sons to be thankful: • God is good. • He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. • He alone does great wonders. • His wisdom created the heavens and the earth. • He gave the sun for warmth and light and the moon to rule the night. • He delivered Israel from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and conquered mighty kings. • He remembered His people in their lowly state and rescued them from their enemies.
happiness, rest, and emotional bal- ance. Thankful people tend to sleep better, enjoy healthier relationships, and even cope with physical pain more effectively. Keeping a “thankful- ness journal,” pausing for thankful thoughts throughout the day, or sim- ply taking a moment in prayer to say “thank You,” all produce meas- urable benefits for our bodies and minds. And unlike most remedies in our world, there are no negative side effects to thankfulness — only blessings. One simple way to grow in thanksgiving is through what I like to call “The Thankfulness Game.” This little practice is easy, yet sur- prisingly powerful. Each time you move to a new location in your day — whether stepping into another room, going outdoors, or arriving at work — pause and name three things you are thankful for in that space. • Perhaps it’s a picture or plant that makes you smile. • Perhaps it’s a glimpse of nature outside the window. • Perhaps it’s the workmanship in a
came when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again so that all who believe in Him might receive forgiveness and ever- lasting life. Indeed, the psalm ends with this triumphant call: “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth forever.” (Psalm 136:26). Another reassuring promise comes from Jeremiah 29:11–13: “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ saith the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an ex- pected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.’” Even when life brings loss, sorrow, or uncertainty, God assures His people that His plans are for good. When we hold on to that prom- ise, we can lift our hearts in thanks- giving even in the midst of trials. Science confirms the wisdom of God’s Word. When we practice thankfulness, our brains release dopamine and serotonin — the “feel- good” neurotransmitters that promote
clear: thankfulness is not only good manners — it is God’s will for His people and His design for our flour- ishing. It lifts our focus from ourselves to the Giver of every good gift. It strengthens our faith when trials
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