10/28/2025
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In living out these three simple yet powerful principles, we open ourselves to deeper wellbeing and a more abundant life:
1) Celebrating all the Lord has done — When we pause and reflect on the ways God has been faithful, we shift our focus from lack to abundance, from fear to trust. This isn’t about denying difficulty, but about remembering who God is and what He has done.
2) Prayer — Keeping an open line of conversation with God keeps our heart tethered to hope, brings peace in the midst of anxiety, and invites divine wisdom and comfort.
3) Being grateful — A thankful heart transforms our perspective, rewires our response to life’s ups and downs, and invites joy even in the ordinary.
Dr. Hinkle loved the message given by Tom Hahn at Restoration Christian Church yesterday and decided it would be great to show how modern science supports what the Bible has long taught: According to a recent study titled “Gratitude and Mortality Among Older US Female Nurses” (Chen et al., 2024), higher self-reported gratitude was associated with a lower hazard of all-cause mortality in older women: even after adjusting for factors like physical health, lifestyle, and mental health.
In other words: gratitude isn’t just a nice idea: it’s measurable, meaningful, and life-prolonging.
We know this is just one study, but there are countless others showing how these biblical principles can powerfully impact the lives of those who live them out.
So go and be joyful and joy filled! It is not so surprisingly good for you.
Source:
Chen, Y., Okereke, O. I., Kim, E. S., Tiemeier, H., Kubzansky, L. D., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2024). Gratitude and Mortality Among Older US Female Nurses. JAMA psychiatry, 81(10), 1030–1038. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1687