Throwback Thursday | November 4th 2018 | Like and subscribe!

Main message: Expressing gratitude generously — even by faith toward people who are difficult — can heal and realign broken relationships, remove bitterness, and bring spiritual and emotional health.

Key points:

• Many people "hoard" gratitude; keeping thankfulness in your heart breeds bitterness, but releasing it blesses both you and others.
• You don't have to wait to "feel" thankful — speak thanks by faith and it will change your heart and the relationship.
• Practical exercise: pick someone difficult, write "I am thankful for you because..." and look for specific things to thank them for (reputation, partnership in the gospel, receptivity, growing/genuine faith, love for others).
• Scripture and psychology agree that gratitude reduces comparison, retaliation, and anxiety, and increases peace, healthier relationships, and community.
• Make gratitude concrete and personal (ideally face-to-face); pray for God to give you eyes to see the good in others.

Scriptures mentioned: Romans 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 100