Dave gave me side eye when we heard that gratitude reduces inflammation during last week’s church message “Anxious for Nothing.”

I’ve been known to preach the benefits of ginger for reducing inflammation. Ad nauseum, perhaps. Ginger everything, in any form. Raw, sauteed, blended, juiced, pickled. Throw in some ginger kombucha daily for good measure. I’ve been slightly obsessed with all the ways I can pack more ginger in my day ever since achy joints and a knee x-ray confirmed mild arthritis. “Mild” – okay, that’s good. Of course, my first question for my doc was (you guessed it) “Can I still run?” Not only was the answer “yes,” but running can actually help reduce arthritis symptoms such as inflammation! Okay, so maybe not as fast and furious as I used to run, but I will definitely take a slow run over none any day.

Much like when I first caught the running bug twelve years ago, I have passionately attempted to get family members on board the running, and more recently, the ginger train. Responses ranged from polite no thank you’s to utter disgust. I probably had it coming given all my previous attempts with beet and kale indoctrination.

So when Pastor Steve presented the case for gratitude as a proven means to reduce inflammation, I rejoiced in my long awaited vindication. He went on to say “Studies show increased daily doses of intentional gratitude have led to decreases in inflammation.” You had me at “studies show.”

But hold on… intentional gratitude. Intentional? As opposed to UNintentional?

When I taught elementary school, I found that sometimes the best way to get a point across or understand a word was to think about its opposite. The opposite of intentional is accidental or without purpose. To express gratitude without purpose…hmmm, when you put it that way.

What is the purpose for expressing gratitude? Other than reducing the inflamed joints of a middle aged runner.

Thanksgiving is around the corner. I’ve definitely been guilty of trying to manufacture or even force gratitude at the dinner table before scooping mounds of stuffing and sweet potatoes on my plate. “Okay, let’s go around the table and everyone say one thing they’re grateful for.” Cue eye rolls from the teenagers. A few adults squirm a little, myself included even though this whole thing was my idea. Now I’m thinking “I better come up with something creative. Don’t just repeat what everyone else says.” Family and health were already taken. I honestly can’t remember what I ended up saying.

Last Thanksgiving is a bit of a blur. I know we had turkey and pumpkin pie with mom at her senior community. I don’t remember much else. Do the heart and mind purposely put up defenses to protect our emotions? There’s a lot about 2019 I’d like to forget. Last year was our first Thanksgiving without my dad. He fought – and I do mean fought in every way possible – his Parkinson’s diagnosis up until the very end last October. My last blog post was all about remembering as it was his one year heaven-versary. Focusing on God’s faithfulness and goodness through my dad. And expressing gratitude for it all in a very intentional, purposeful way. I ran a marathon.

No, you don’t have to run a marathon every time you want to show gratitude.

Every morning before my feet hit the floor, I’ve been making a conscious choice to say Psalm 118:24 “THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE! I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!” I actually started this practice months ago – long before last Sunday’s message – but I confess it might’ve become rote. Probably not unlike what many have felt during these months of shelter in place, the day to day started to feel mundanely haphazard, if that’s a thing. At times, little ripples to tsunami waves of depression and anxiety would hit. Guess what? I can’t even remember what caused some of them. It’s path of destruction was evident though. Once solidly grounded piers of confidence and deeply rooted joy now easily tossed about whenever more bad news hit or I simply gave in to feelings of dread. Dread of what? Nothing I can really put my finger on or name specifically. I suppose that’s part of the enemy’s strategy: Be purposely vague so you can’t find a way out – or motivation to do so.

I recently noticed some new spray paint markings on my regular running trail. Red spray paint from city maintenance crew to mark out areas of upcoming repair. These markings were box shaped with hash marks on each side. They reminded me of the movie Top Gun and the air combat scenes where Maverick had missile lock on his targets. That’s when you fire at your enemy to take them down otherwise you’re just aimlessly firing into the air. It hit me that this is how God wants us to use Scripture and prayer – specifically, intentionally, and most importantly, for His purposes. And yes, to take down the enemy.

What is the purpose for rejoicing every day and all the time? How can one rejoice in horrible news and devastating situations? Simple. You can’t. God never said we should. But He did say to rejoice IN HIM. What? How?

“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 requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

Put it into practice. Not just going through the motions to check it off a morning to do list. But specifically to combat the battles of the day, each and every day. Even on your best days, there will be battles. Maybe that’s what ultimately made them your best days. When I think about my best races, the most successful ones were fought in the heart and mind during the toughest segments – mile 20 of a marathon or on the trek up to an 8,349′ Summit. Funny how that verse says to “let your gentleness be evident to all.” To be able to respond to circumstances with gentleness first requires fierce combat. The kind that involves missiles of targeted gratitude in the heat of battle.

I can almost feel that inflammation subsiding as I shift my focus off day to day anxieties to solid, immovable truths. You know what? Turns out I am really thankful for family and health. I got a bit of good news last night – more on that in a future post. I’m also thankful I got to run a live race last weekend with actual people. Cancelled races (along with so many other cancelled events) have been a huge bummer to put it mildly. But they have made me more aware and grateful for all that goes into race production, running a business, and more importantly, grateful for the friendships and encouragement they have given me. Whoa, all this sudden gratitude… Who knows, I may find myself not needing to load up on ginger anymore. Don’t tell Dave.