Written in collaboration with Dr. Tim Jacobs of GM & F Partners.
Did you know that the brain can’t be anxious and grateful at the same time?
The amygdala—the part of our brain that processes emotions—can’t process both simultaneously. They’re incompatible. Forbes reports on a recent study in the neurology journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity that shows that “regular gratitude practice diminishes the amygdala’s reactivity to stressors.”
If you articulate or contemplate one small item that you’re sincerely grateful for when experiencing anxiety, your anxiety will evaporate.
For some men, gratitude can mean simply being polite society in a random and meaningless universe. For believers, gratitude is thanksgiving externally directed toward the Lord of all.
Anxiety, however, is self-serving and full of fear, cutting that connection with the Lord.
What if men practiced “off-road gratitude” as a daily way of life, living our lives for Him in thanksgiving for everything?
But just what is “off-road gratitude?”
It’s gratitude far beyond just being thankful when everything is smooth sailing. It’s the narrow-road radical kind that’s after even more of the internal peace, love, and comfort that Jesus brings to any circumstance, for in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Off-road gratitude is thanksgiving in every single circumstance—even (and especially) when it’s hard. I know a guy who relates it to technical trail mountain biking where you’re trying to move forward—but are basically stationary most of the time, just keeping your balance—as you tilt your wheel back and forth between rocks and roots and stumps, inevitably bumping over them in the summer heat with mosquitoes buzzing your ears while the sweat drips from your nose as you study the terrain ahead.
Off-road gratitude is doing the challenging work of expressing gratitude even in our toughest moments and on our darkest days. It is not a smooth ride. But there is no better path to take.
Consider Colossians 2:6-7: “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Off-road gratitude is doing the challenging work of expressing gratitude even in our toughest moments and on our darkest days. It is not a smooth ride. But there is no better path to take.
Overflowing with thankfulness is the sign of a pilgrim on the path of off-road gratitude.
Here are three off-road gratitude paths men can take:
Path 1: Gratitude for Provision
Everything good is from God. “All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided,” says the great hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” We lack nothing in Jesus. He has given us all we need to live in this moment. He is the faithful Jehovah-Jireh (“the Lord Provides”—Genesis 22:14). When we’re grateful for His daily provision, we notice His hand in our lives even more, making us even more grateful and eliminating the comparison trap that makes us covet our neighbor’s Instagram reel.
Path 2: Gratitude for Problems
This life is full of vexing problems, frustrations, disappointments, and, ultimately, pain. But He made a way through it for us. When you have a new hardship, place it at the foot of the Cross, pray without ceasing, and let it go with gratitude that you no longer own it (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). You’re more than a conqueror through Him—not a victim (Romans 8:37). Gratitude eliminates the victim mentality of blame and inertia. And when you show gratitude as a new hardship rolls in, you can know you are sustained by a God who suffers with you. You become stronger in Him: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4).
Path 3: Gratitude for Possibilities
It may be helping to set up the sanctuary at 6 AM in the school gym until your church finds a permanent home. It could be volunteering at the local food bank or serving as a leader for the kid’s program at your church. It might mean signing up for your community cleanup day or committing to financially support a ministry, mission work, or sponsor child. It may be way smaller. Don’t despise these small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Remember that service is worship. Whatever we do, we do it for Him. So, no possibility of serving or giving is ever insignificant. Be grateful that we have so many meaningful daily opportunities to serve, give, and worship our King! Gratitude in service eliminates the ego and self-centredness: “No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Life is hard, undeniably. Jesus said that as His followers in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33) and that each of us must bear our own cross (Luke 9:23).
We all know this, and we are not trying to minimize anyone’s suffering or challenges. Far from it. Sometimes, all one can do is cling to the words of Scripture: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
But being men of off-road gratitude means we learn with the Apostle Paul to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
We care about you and your walk with Jesus. My small team and I are grateful for you and your support of and engagement with Impactus and our many initiatives for Canadian men. We were moved by the results of our most recent spiritual health survey, especially some of the comments.
Take in these expressions of gratitude from the men we minister to:
- “I really appreciate your devotionals; they are most helpful.”
- “Since attending Impactus in Ottawa, I’ve had regular, consistent QT (quiet time) every day.”
- “Keep doing what you’re doing! It inspires and motivates me to become a better Christian man, father, and brother. I have specifically gained in my understanding of scripture and his Word! I am grateful and thank you!”
And yet there are also desperate needs:
- “Spiritually dying”
- “I lost my job and am going through anxiety and depression.”
- “My walk with God needs a lot of improvement.”
- “My marriage is in shambles.”
- “I am not born again, please I need help.”
These voices, guys like you and me, remind me afresh why we exist as a ministry. We know it’s tough out there. That’s why we’re here. Together, praying and working every day we make life a little better for men across Canada.
Will you make a Thanksgiving commitment to reach more men with a gospel designed for off-roading into the dark corners of our lives and the deep wounds in our hearts? You can donate here: impactus.org/give
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