The Power of Gratitude
A few years ago, I moved house. I still remember the stress and the daunting prospect of doing the move with two toddlers. Desperate for help but not expecting a reply, I put a call out to the staff for help.
I was overwhelmed by the response.
Throughout the day, there was a steady stream of colleagues who came to pack, clean and child mind. And then, as if that was not enough, they also cooked us meals for the week! How can you not feel loved after that? The stress I had been feeling was now replaced with gratitude. I was no longer worrying about things outside of my control but was instead focused on the generosity of those around me.
As Christians, we know the power of gratitude in our lives. Reflecting on the goodness of the Gospel, continually draws me away from myself and back to the love of God. During these moments, I feel more at peace and secure in my life. The transformative effects of gratitude are also supported by research from the University of Melbourne. Dr Lea Waters’ research has shown that gratitude can help us sleep better, improve health and develop stronger relationships.
Dr Waters suggests that we can foster gratitude in our lives by following these three simple steps:
1. Start by noticing the good moments in your life.
2. Spend time savouring the moment.
3. Express your gratitude through your words or through an action.I’d like to encourage our Stage 6 students to continue to foster gratitude over the next couple of months. Even when things look difficult, take time to reflect on God’s love, look for the good moments and express your thankfulness to each other. The benefits are worth it.