The Neuroscience of Gratitude: How God Designed Our Brains to Thrive with Thanksgiving
There’s something about November that slows us down.
The trees shed what’s no longer needed.
The calendar inches closer to full.
And our minds start scanning for what’s left to do.
But what if before we made the lists, prepped the pies, or braced ourselves for another round of holiday conversation we paused.
We paused to remember what God designed us to carry?
Not everything.
Just what matters.
God Wired Us for Gratitude
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of gratitude - not just as a good habit, but as a design feature.
A divine gift. A way of being that reshapes us from the inside out.
Neuroscientist Liz Bagwell shares how even short bursts of gratitude (just 90 seconds) can activate the brain’s reward system, lower cortisol, and help form new neural pathways.
Gratitude literally rewires our brain over time, helping us become more resilient, emotionally grounded, and attuned to joy.
The world is just now catching up to what Scripture has pointed us to all along:
“Give thanks in all circumstances…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” — Psalm 100:4
“Do not be anxious about anything, but… with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and be thankful.” — Colossians 3:1
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” — Colossians 4:2
God knew what our brains would need long before the MRI scan could prove it.
Gratitude Around the Table
This Thanksgiving, you may find yourself craving more than the usual “go around and say what you’re thankful for” moment.
Here are a few intentional, soul-nourishing questions to spark deeper connection at your table:
What’s something this year you’re grateful for that surprised you?
What’s one ordinary moment from this season that you want to remember?
Choose one person at the table and share how they blessed you this season.
What's one way the Lord showed up for you this season that you're grateful for?
These aren’t about performance or surface-level reflection.
They’re about slowing down enough to remember where you’ve seen goodness, even if the year felt heavy.
And if you’re walking into this season carrying a lot, please know this:
Gratitude doesn’t ignore hardship - it opens us up to glimpses of grace in the midst of it.
A Gift for You
As part of this Season of Gratitude, I’m gifting 3-30 minute mini-coaching sessions in November.
It’s my way of helping you pause, take a breath, and focus on what matters most as we head into the holidays.
Together, we can talk through whatever you’re navigating - whether it’s a big decision, a hard conversation, or just needing a safe space to process.
There is still goodness here, friend.
And you don’t have to find it all on your own.
Always in your corner,
Melina Kane
Melina is the founder of Melina Kane Coaching, a certified Christian Life Coach in Texas (servicing Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Pflugerville). She loves helping Christian women anchor their homes, hearts, and habits in God’s design for their life. She’s an Enneagram 2 + recovering perfectionist who’s never met a stranger, so come say Hi! on Instagram @melinakanecoaching.
