Are You Thankful or Tolerant?
Did you know that the brain is wired toward discontentment? Neurologists explain how our brain becomes accustomed to whatever is happening within and without. The phenomenon can perhaps be best understood by considering substance addiction.
If a man puts chemicals into his body, eventually the chemical makeup of his brain learns to tolerate the drugs by achieving a chemical balance that depends on the drug’s introduction. Withdrawal, therefore, becomes exceedingly difficult, because withholding the substance upsets the new balance.
Many brain researchers believe the same process takes place with non-substance addictions, although the contention is more controversial. We are physically wired, they say, to become comfortable with what we have. Our brain gets used to it.
All of this means, neurologically, that no matter how much money we make, our mind will function in such a way that even vast wealth eventually will feel “normal.” Our brain becomes accustomed to a certain standard of living, and once we become accustomed to something, it’s only a matter of time until we become bored with it.
It is vital to understand this process if we are ever to rid ourselves of this spiritual sickness. Spiritually speaking, we become sick when we start tolerating God’s blessings instead of being thankful for them. The Bible prescribes thankfulness as the way to counteract growing accustomed to our affluence.
Every time we sit down for a meal, instead of taking the food for granted, we are encouraged to remember God, who provided it and to thank him for its provision. Every time we enter our houses, it is good to thank God for providing shelter. We should be thankful every time we adjust the thermostat, bringing either refreshing cool air or comforting warmth. Gratitude should cover us every time we put on a shirt or cover our feet with shoes. The discipline of thankfulness keeps God’s goodness fresh.
Excerpted from Gary's new release, Simply Sacred--a collection of daily readings gleaned from Gary's many books. (Page 361)