Why should I say ‘Thank you’?
In an article posted at PsychCentral.com entitled “Why ‘Thank You’ Is More Than Just Good Manners” (updated July 8, 2018) author Jeremy Dean cites studies by Adam M. Grant and Francesco Gino published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Grant & Gino, 2010). They sought to find what effect saying ‘Thank you’ had on the one being thanked.
Results demonstrated that when a ‘Thank you’ was given the individual who gave the assistance was doubly inclined to be helpful again than were those who received only a neutral response to their initial helpfulness.
Helpers “appreciated being needed and felt more socially valued when they’d been thanked.” Explains Dean, “The act of saying thank you reassures the helper that their help is valued and motivates them to provide more.”
Subsequent studies further showed helpers who received a ‘Thank you’ from the first individual were more than doubly motivated to offer assistance to a second individual than when no ‘Thank you’ had been given. Measurable increases in willingness to help another persisted even to a third and fourth person.
Interestingly, scripture speaks of the Lord “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Exod. 34:6-7; Deut. 5:8-10; Lev. 26:39). It seems a simple ‘Thank you’ follows a similar mathematical reverberation.
The PsychCentral.com item also stated that saying ‘Thank you’ is beneficial to the self. “Studies have suggested that being grateful can improve well-being, physical health, can strengthen social relationships, produce positive emotional states and help us cope with stressful times in our lives.
All good stuff, but the scriptures taught us that centuries earlier. “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” wrote wise King Solomon (Prov. 17:22). David taught us to Whom all our ‘Thank you’s are ultimately due: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Ps. 107:1) Paul taught our thankfulness must persist in all circumstances and for all things at all times: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18); “…be thankful… whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:15, 17); “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” (1 Tim. 4:4). Even our requests — before God answers — should be accompanied with a ‘Thank you’ — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6) — for we know that whatever God gives or allows is for our best.
Thanks for reading 😊!
Press on…
Got a question? Use the Contact page and send It to me. We’ll search the Word for God’s answer.
thebrokenrunner 