Welcome to today's reading from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

I'm Elisa Morgan, and I titled it Happy Thanksgiving.

A study by psychologist Robert Eamens divided volunteers into three groups that each made weekly entries in journals.

One group wrote five things they were grateful for. One described five daily hassles,

and a control group listed five events that had impacted them in a small way.

The results of the study revealed that those in the

gratitude group felt better about their lives overall, were more optimistic about the future,

and reported fewer health problems. Giving thanks has a way of changing the way we look at life.

Thanksgiving can even make us happier. The Bible has long

extolled the benefits of giving thanks to God, as doing so reminds us of his character. The Psalms

repeatedly call God's people to give him thanks because the Lord is good, and his love endures forever,

and to thank him for his unfailing love and wonderful deeds. As the Apostle Paul closed his letter to the Philippians, the letter itself,

a kind of a thank you note to a church that had supported him, he linked thankful prayers with

the peace of God which transcends all understanding.

When we focus on God and His goodness, we find that we can pray without anxiety in every

situation with Thanksgiving. Giving thanks brings us a peace that uniquely guards our hearts and minds and changes the way we look at life.

A heart full of gratitude nurtures a spirit of joy.

Today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 through 7.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,

with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all

understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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