Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-

Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…  Psalm 103

Everyone wants the fountain of youth. Supposedly, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida looking for the secret of eternal youth. Millions still go there every January with the same ambition. Yes, staying young is big business.

The Bible has a simpler and cheaper solution: Gratitude and thanks. In his 3,000 year old poem (we call it Psalm 103 in the Bible) King David tells himself to “Praise the Lord,” and “don’t forget his benefits” – another way of saying, “Be thankful to God.” One of the benefits of remembering God’s benefits, those things he’s already given us, is that our “youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” In other words, gratitude lifts us above and through the winds of adversity, as an eagle sores through and above the storm. With thankfulness we fly.

There is now scientific evidence to support what David demonstrated so long ago. Thankfulness and gratitude is good for our health. It makes us young again.

Dr. Jeffry Froh, Assistant Psychology Professor at Hofstra University, There may be measurable, scientific benefits to the American tradition of giving thanks. In study of college students Froh found that “Students who counted blessings were less likely to report headaches, stomach aches, pains in the body.” Gratitude works. Praising God for his goodness keeps us young… forever! It’s literally a “fountain of youth for all eternity!

“God, we thank you for the benefits of life that you have given us. We will not forget that you are the source of all good things. We know that this is not only right to acknowledge – it is the truth – but it is also beneficial to acknowledge. When we give honor to whom honor is due – you – we reap great benefits in our lives. Gratitude rejuvenates our bones and releases our anxieties and worries into your hands. Thank you, God. We say this in Jesus’ name.”