Monday, April 23, 2012


I read a book sometime back on Discovering the Power of Generosity.  I found so much of what the author had to say intriguing, that I thought I would share parts of it with you over the next several days in my blog. I believe one of the best tools in soul winning today is through generosity. Simple acts of kindness. It can be through your time, helping out someone in need or just listening to someone who is hurting. Regardless of the act itself, generosity in all forms wins people. Is shows you care. And as a result, makes you a better person- someone who is aware of those around them and their needs. It forces you to look beyond your own needs and desires and look at the world around you.

 One thing that the author brought out was that before you can really focus on generosity, you have to embrace gratitude. Gratitude, thankfulness, or appreciation is defined as a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgement of a benefit that one has received or will receive. The Bible talks more about praising God than anything else. When we have a thankful heart, despite our circumstances, we lighten our load. Nothing jump-starts our gratitude like practicing a habit of praise. King David, who expressed his gratitude all throughout the book of Psalms, was called a man after God’s own heart. Isn’t that what we’d like to be? Simply reading his psalms of praise is an ideal way to build gratitude in our lives.

 A large body of recent work has suggested that people who are more grateful have higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance. Simply put, being grateful and showing thanks can’t hurt…

 In an article in Guideposts, “The Power of Gratitude”, Dr. Stephen Post shares five things he discovered about gratitude:

 1.      Gratitude defends. Just fifteen minutes a day focusing on the things you’re grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural anitbodies.

2.      Gratitude sharpens. Naturally grateful people are more focused mentally and are measurably less vulnerable to clinical depression.

3.      Gratitude calms. A grateful state of mind induces a physiological state called resonance that’s associated with healthier blood pressure and heart rate.

4.      Gratitude strengthens. Caring for others is draining. But grateful caregivers are healthier and more capable than less grateful ones.

5.      Gratitude heals. It’s been shown that recipients of donated organs who have the most grateful attitudes heal faster.

 Gratitude gives back. When we practice it, not only do we grow in our trust of God, but we benefit physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


As we acknowledge all have, we learn to praise God for all He has done for us. We learn that our material things aren’t the most important. We come full circle. You have to understand gratitude before we can discover the power of generosity. Gratitude is the basis for giving. Grumpy, stingy people cannot live in the spirit of generosity. In order to be able to open our hands to give, we first have to give thanks for all we’ve been given.




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