Give Thanks… Really?

Scripture reminds us of three life-giving practices: to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. These words—always, continually, and in all circumstances— don’t point to occasional gestures, but to a consistent way of living.

It’s easy to give thanks when everything is going well. But God calls us to gratitude even when life feels overwhelming. 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in ALL circumstances… but why? Because thankfulness is more than good manners—it’s God’s will for us, and it shapes our faith, our perspective, and even our health.

The Science of Gratitude

Interestingly, science affirms what the Bible has long taught: gratitude changes us. Research shows that gratitude can rewire our brains, lower stress and depression, and even improve physical health. 

Effects on the Brain include

• Positive effect on neurotransmitters: Gratitude stimulates dopamine and serotonin, the “feel-good” chemicals that improve mood and well-being.

• Stress Reduction: Regular gratitude practice can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) by up to 23%.

• Brain Pathways: Gratitude strengthens neural pathways in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, regions tied to memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making.

• Resilience: Studies show trauma survivors who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of depression and PTSD.

 Effects on the Body

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, reducing stress response and even repairing DNA

• Improves sleep quality

• Enhances immune system function

• Reduces perceived pain

Happiness and Mental Health

• A landmark study by Dr. Martin Seligman found gratitude exercises increased happiness by up to 25% over a three-month period.

• Dr. Caroline Leaf’s work shows gratitude creates new neural pathways, making it easier to adopt a hopeful perspective over time.

Gratitude and “Vibration”

Beyond biology, some frameworks describe gratitude as raising our “vibrational frequency,” aligning us with joy, love, and hope. While “frequency” language comes from positive psychology and energetic traditions, the underlying truth is biblical: gratitude shifts our hearts toward life and abundance.

• Positive emotions like joy and love replace fear and worry.

• Gratitude fosters connection and empathy, drawing us toward others.

• It nurtures resilience, helping us face life with courage and optimism.

Why Gratitude Matters Spiritually

Giving thanks in hard times can feel counterintuitive. Who wants to be thankful in the middle of grief, financial strain, or illness? Yet gratitude is not about denying hardship or pretending things are fine. Instead, it’s about anchoring our hearts in God’s faithfulness and shifting our focus from problems to His presence.

Gratitude:

• Guards our hearts against bitterness

• Fosters peace and joy

• Acknowledges God’s goodness and faithfulness

• Strengthens faith by reminding us of His past provision

Thankfulness becomes a lifeline, moving us from despair to hope. Rather than waiting for life to be “right” before we give thanks, we choose gratitude as an act of faith, trusting God in the middle of uncertainty.

Making Gratitude a Daily Practice

Gratitude doesn’t happen by accident—it’s cultivated. Here are simple ways to build it into your daily rhythm:

• Keep a gratitude journal: Write down at least 5 things each day to be thankful for!

• Pray with thankfulness: Begin your prayers with what you’re grateful for.

• Speak it out loud: Tell someone why you appreciate them.

• Reframe challenges: Look for one blessing or lesson in the middle of difficulty.

• Create reminders: Post verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where you’ll see them often.

In Closing

Gratitude isn’t about ignoring hardship—it’s about choosing to see God’s hand even in the storm. It’s about realigning our hearts with His goodness and His promises. Scripture commands it, science confirms it, and our souls need it. 

So today, whatever your circumstances, pause and give thanks. Not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful.

Where Did “Agreeing to Disagree” Go?

It feels like everywhere we look—in the news, online, or even on the road—we’re surrounded by rage, hatred, and negativity.

Whatever happened to simply scrolling past, unfollowing quietly, or just moving on?

The truth is, disagreement isn’t new. It’s part of being human. My business partner of 12 years and I disagree often, and even my own son—who I love more than life—doesn’t always share my views. And yet, our love and respect for one another outweigh our differences. We “agree to disagree.” For us, that means when our choices diverge, we still honour the person. If we clash with those who know us best, how much more should we expect to differ with strangers who don’t know us at all?

I don’t agree with many family members and friends on politics, faith, crypto, vaccines, or even whether Botox is necessary. But here’s the thing: disagreement isn’t a threat. It’s a gift. It forces us to stretch, to question, to grow. If we all dressed the same, thought the same, and acted the same, one of us would be unnecessary. When we accept and appreciate each other—including our differences—we gain respect, growth, and peace, both outwardly and inwardly.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “agree to disagree” as “to agree not to argue anymore about a difference of opinion.” It doesn’t mean avoiding truth or conviction. It means acknowledging that neither side is likely to change, so the subject is dropped in favour of peace. Scripture commends this approach. Romans 12:18 urges, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) goes further, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

To me, it goes back to the core of my faith: unity. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. We don’t need to agree on everything to walk in harmony. What we do need is a commitment to value the relationship above the argument. Loving our neighbour means respecting the person—even when we reject the behaviour. And anyone who has been married knows this: you cannot change someone unless they want to change – so what’s the point in arguing to death?

If the foundation of our faith is kindness, compassion, honesty, and hope, then our different viewpoints should not spark division but deepen understanding. As Ray Pritchard put it, “Live so that those who disagree with you look up to you as a model worth following.”

So instead of obsessing over what divides us, let’s choose peace. When small talk turns into heated debates about gun control, climate change, digital IDs, or if Carney is doing a good job or not, I try to step back. I’d rather preserve the relationship than win the argument. And if the conversation can’t build up, then I let it go.

We can choose unity over uniformity, compassion over criticism, and peace over pride.
Maybe the world doesn’t need us to agree on everything.
Maybe it just needs us to remember how to disagree—gracefully; without violence. Certainly without a gun.

Pray Like You Know Who You Are

Do you know any prayer warriors? The kind whose prayers seem to shake heaven and silence hell? I admire them deeply. To me, those intercessors who pray with boldness, passion, and precision are like spiritual weightlifters — built strong through intimacy with God and trained in the authority they've inherited in Christ.

They don't beg. They command.
They don’t doubt. They declare.
They don’t pray from fear. They pray from victory.

As @kittiejrose said, they are “deputized with Kingdom authority — legislators in the Spirit who speak on behalf of God, standing firm in the armor inherited through His Word.” Their declarations aren't just emotion; they’re based on an understanding of their position in Christ and the power they already possess. WOWZA!

Pastor @gregorydickow teaches powerfully on this truth: Prayer is not about our righteousness — it's about the righteousness we’ve received through Jesus. So, we pray without guilt, shame, or fear. We are children of the King of Kings — chosen, covered, and commissioned. That means we pray with boldness, because heaven backs us up.

Luke 10:19 reminds us: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy…”

The enemy doesn’t want you to realize this. That’s why he tries to intimidate you during prayer — making you compare, hesitate, or feel unworthy. But once you understand your spiritual authority, the atmosphere shifts. Hell trembles when a believer recognizes the power they carry.

Look at Elijah.
He prayed for the rain to stop — and it did.
He prayed again — and the heavens opened.

What made his prayers powerful? His unwavering faith in God’s Word and his desire for God to be known. Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 18 shows us: the power wasn’t in Elijah — it was in his confidence that God would show up. Faith before the evidence is what unleashes the miraculous.

Faith prays like it already sees the answer.
Faith prays like God is already moving.
Faith prays with authority.

We have been called to the same ministry that Jesus declared in Luke 4:18 — to preach, to heal, to set the captives free. And today, God moves through His people — those who know their identity and stand in the authority of His name.

So what does praying with authority look like?

It’s not begging God to do what He’s already promised.
It’s speaking to the mountain.
It’s declaring the Word.
It’s using the name that causes every knee to bow.

The Power of the Name

Every Christian has the privilege of using the name of Jesus in prayer. And when we pray in His name, we don’t just close a sentence — we activate heaven’s authority.

Philippians 2:9–10:
“God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow — in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”

The power of Jesus’ name is the power of God Himself. It’s an access to His throne and the right to petition Him — not just for ourselves, but for others. And He’s promised to respond.

“The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

So now what?

Learn to pray with authority — and give God the opportunity to glorify Himself in your circumstances.

I'm working on it.

Have you ever learned to pray with authority? What changed when you started praying with confidence in your identity?

Share your journey. Let’s grow in this together!

So Rise up, mountain mover.
Get in the Word.
Let the Holy Spirit stir you.
Pray like you know who you are — because when you do, hell won’t know what hit it.