Thanksliving: Universal Antidote for the Toxic Emotions of Life

[Lonnell Johnson]

What follows is excerpt from a forthcoming book to be entitled GOOD MEDICINE: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR OVERCOMING TOXIC EMOTIONS OF LIFE. This particular chapter has special significance in light of the present Thanksgiving season, but as you will see, the subject of "thanksgiving" is applicable at all times. This may be a somewhat lengthy "blog", but let me know what you think.Lonnell JohnsonIn critical situations where a person may have accidentally ingested a poisonous substance, the Poison Control Center, if contacted, can suggest a specific antidote to counteract that poison. In some cases a “universal antidote” is recommended. Activated Charcoal has the well-earned reputation of being such a “universal antidote” since it can facilitate the removal countless poisonous substances before they can cause harm. In the case of toxic emotions, such as “the Deadly Dozen” previously discussed, I recommend another “universal antidote” to counteract any and all of these negative issues of life. A heavy dose of “thanksgiving” will counter the potentially crippling negative effects of fear, anger, disappointment, discouragement, despair and any other toxic emotions of life.When most people hear the term “thanksgiving,” there is an almost automatic association with turkey and dressing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie (or sweet potato pie, depending upon your ethnic tastes). Many associate the word with pageants of Pilgrims and Native Americans, with parades and football games—the prelude to the final holiday season of the year. For many people around the world, however, thanksgiving is more than a holiday observed the fourth Thursday in November. Actually, “Thanksgiving” is always appropriate. “Thanksgiving” is the reason, not only for the current season, but “thanksgiving” should be the reason for every season.Let me first of all explain exactly what I mean by “thanksgiving.” I am not referring to the so-called holiday occurring the fourth Thursday in November. “Thanksgiving” involves more than turkey and dressing and all the trimmings; the term connotes more than parades and football games and the prelude to holiday shopping.In its most basic sense, “thanksgiving” is the application of an essential principle of life: giving and receiving. When one gives, one receives, and always in greater proportion than one gives. Although many people think of giving and receiving in terms of tithes and offerings or of giving of material abundance within a church or religious context, the universal principle works in all aspects of life—particularly in “thanksgiving.”When I use the term “thanksgiving,” I am looking at the word in its most literal sense, meaning “to give thanks” or “to show oneself grateful.” It is an expression of gratitude, a form of prayer specified in I Timothy 2:1 “. . . requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. . . .”As Christian believers, giving thanks to God for His grace and goodness is a positive expression that reverses the negative thinking pattern generated by “the Deadly Dozen.” We cannot truly be thankful and feel fearful or disappointed at the same time, nor can we be angry or discouraged when we see all that God has done for us and express our gratitude to Him at the same time. Certainly we cannot simultaneously sink to the depths of despair when we recognize how blessed we have been thus far, as we anticipate even greater blessings on the horizon, for the best is always yet to come with God, our beneficent Father.God desires that we show ourselves grateful at all times. The Word of God reminds us of this truth in a number of places:Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.A similar reminder is found in Ephesians 5:20:Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.The Word of God reveals that the giving of thanks is to be more than an occasional act of gratitude; it is to be an ongoing part of our lives.Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.Hebrews 13:15 offers this reminder:By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. KJVPerhaps the most dramatic reminder to live in continuous thanksgiving is found in I Thessalonians 5:18:Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ.The King James Version renders the verse this way:In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.To facilitate memorizing this particular verse, I composed a Scripture Memory Song “In Everything Give Thanks”:In everything give thanks,In everything give thanks,For this is the will of GodIn Christ Jesus concerning you.RepeatWhen things in life don’t seem to turn outJust as we think they should,We know that God still has a grand planAnd works all things together—He works all things together for our good.In everything give thanks,In everything give thanks,For this is the will of GodIn Christ Jesus concerning you.The sun shines bright or the darkest night,No matter what the mood,We still give thanks always for all things.In the name of Jesus Christ,We keep an attitude of gratitude.In everything give thanks,In everything give thanks,For this is the will of GodIn Christ Jesus concerning you.Every situation offers an opportunity to be thankful, no matter how bright or bleak life may be. We can always find something to be thankful for, if for nothing more than that we are alive or that our situation could be worse. We can begin with thanking God that we are alive and then adding to the long list of blessings we are enjoying at that moment. Each time we set our minds to be thankful, we are doing the will of God, which is the innermost desire of every believer. To give thanks is to do the will of God.Feeling disappointed, discouraged, and in despair or having other negative feelings is sometimes described as “stinkin’ thinkin’” which can directly affect how we act. One of the critical factors in our physical and emotional well-being is attitude. Chuck Swindoll offers excellent insight regarding this subject:The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church... a home.The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes.The discussion of attitude comes full circle with this reminder that “attitude begins with gratitude.” J. Rufus Moseley speaks of “an attitude of gratitude and boundless good will.” For believers thanksgiving is a magnificent and joyful “response-ability”; that is, our ability to respond to God’s love and grace. We endeavor to demonstrate our gratitude to God from the fullness of our hearts, overflowing with thanks. More than merely occasionally expressing how grateful we are, we desire to maintain a continual “attitude of gratitude,” a lifestyle that some havecalled “thanksliving.” The essence of our attitude of endless gratitude is expressed in this poem:Thanksliving*What shall we render to the Lord for allHis grace? What can we say to offer praiseWorthy of His glory? How can we callWith all our being upon His name and raiseA new song from the depths of our heart?We must do more than mouth a platitude--To express our soul in words is an art;Yet words cannot express our gratitude.Mere words are empty and without merit.“Thank you” too soon becomes a hollow phrase.So we must worship God with our spiritAnd must give thanks well for all of our days.To live is give thanks with tongue and limb;With each breath, each move, let us live thanks to Him.More than merely saying “thank you” to God, more than simply tithing or sharing of our abundance or giving of our time or material goods, thanksliving is a way of life, expressing gratitude to God in everything we say and do. This time of the year, as we approach the final holiday season of the year, our lives should especially abound with thanksgiving to God for “His unspeakable gift.” Without question, “thanksgiving” is the reason for every season.From this brief examination of the term, we find that “thanksgiving” is more than “turkey time,” an annual holiday we celebrate; it is more than the arrival of Friday (TGIF), for which the workaday world thanks God. For believers, every day should be a day of living in thanks. We show with all our being, “Thank God it’s Sunday through Saturday.” As we do so, we counteract the negative effects of disappointment, discouragement, despair and any other toxic emotions that keep us from being all that God designed us to be.It is always an appropriate time to give thanks to God. One of the songs I recall from years ago declares, “Now is the right time to praise the Lord!” No matter the circumstances, no matter the conditions, weather-wise or otherwise, weare to follow this exhortation:In happy moments, praise God.In difficult moments, seek God.In quiet moments, worship God.In painful moments, trust God.In every moment, thank God.At All TimesI will bless the Lord at all times,His praise shall continually be in my mouth.Psalm 34:1When God’s goodness and mercy follow closely,And we savor the ecstasy of victory,When joy overflows and floods our souls, we will praise God.When gripped by the devices of this transient lifeAnd caught in the straits of rising conflict and strife,During these difficult moments, we will seek God.When we long to abide within a tranquil moodAnd linger in moments of sweetest quietude,From the depths of our souls, we will worship God.Despite raging seas, stormy winds and blinding rain,When protracted pain strikes like a knife and numbs the brainSo that we can scarcely scream your name, we will trust God.All along life’s journey, no matter the season,Through every why and wherefore, for every reasonEvery moment we draw breath, we will thank God.We seek the Lord and ask ourselves, “What shall we do?”Give thanks: it is God’s will in Christ concerning you.”“Give thanks: it is God’s will in Christ concerning you.”*Published in Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance (Ambassador Press, 2005)

[Dan Haas]

You say it well, Dr.J ! And it is needful. Phil.4:6, which you quoted, is so precious to me. A preacher-friend of mine calls it God's "prescription for anxiety."

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:6-7 NIVUS)

As Gary also said, it is important to note that we may (or may not) make the decision to be thankful.

I'm thankful for you.

Blog on, my kinsman, my fellowlaborer!

[Gary Cendroski]

Thanks for taking the time to share. As I was reading your entry, I thought that being thankful to God for so much that we have been blessed with is more than a transient attitude, but is more a consciously determined state of mind that is both worth the effort for our own peace of mind, as well as a testimony to others of the God who is so gracious to us. - Gary