​​This week, we’re leaning into the season of Thanksgiving, and talking about how gratitude really does change everything. 🦃✨

We all know we “should” be grateful, but when life feels heavy, the kids are loud, or your to-do list is a mile long… does gratitude actually help? (Spoiler: yes! And science agrees with what Scripture said all along!)

In this conversation, we unpack how gratitude is not just a feel-good exercise, it’s a spiritual and neurological reset that can lower stress, boost dopamine and serotonin, and literally rewire your brain for joy.

You’ll hear how our own sober Thanksgivings shifted from chaotic to peaceful, why slowing down is the secret to rewiring your mind, and how gratitude becomes the bridge from striving to worship.

Whether you’re early in your alcohol-free exodus or simply craving more peace this holiday season, this episode will help you pause, breathe, and remember: You don’t need more wine to feel joy—you need more wonder.

📘 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why gratitude is literally the antidote to anxiety (Philippians 4:6–8)
The neuroscience behind how thankfulness rewires your brain for peace
How alcohol trains your brain for “fast relief” and gratitude retrains it for lasting joy
Practical ways to slow down, stay present, and practice gratitude daily
Why gratitude transforms your relationship with God, and everyone else

💡 Tiny Tina Gratitude Practices
Say “thank you, Lord for ___” at every stoplight this week 🚦
Write (or voice note) 3 things you’re grateful for before bed
Practice breath prayer: Jesus in. Me out.
Share one “proof of progress” in the community—big or small
Turn up Gratitude by Brandon Lake or Goodness of God and worship it out 🎶
Memorize Philippians 4:6–8 to anchor your thoughts in truth
Look in the mirror and thank God for who you’re becoming

💌 Links & Resources

 

Join The January 2026 40-Day Alcohol Fast! 

https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/januaryfast

📖 Books Mentioned:
A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
The Keeping Company Gratitude Journal 
Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

Breath as Prayer By Jennifer Tucker. 

🎧 Worship Songs Mentioned:
Gratitude — Brandon Lake
Goodness of God — Jenn Johnson

🤝 Join our community:https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community 

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind  https://amzn.to/42l7z9C 

📲 Connect on Instagram:@butjesusdrankwine

🎥 Watch on YouTube: Come hang out with us HERE !

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

​​This week, we&rsquo;re leaning into the season of Thanksgiving, and talking about how gratitude really does change everything. 🦃✨
We all know we &ldquo;should&rdquo; be grateful, but when life feels heavy, the kids are loud, or your to-do list is a mile long&hellip; does gratitude actually help? (Spoiler: yes! And science agrees with what Scripture said all along!)
In this conversation, we unpack how gratitude is not just a feel-good exercise, it&rsquo;s a spiritual and neurological reset that can lower stress, boost dopamine and serotonin, and literally rewire your brain for joy.
You&rsquo;ll hear how our own sober Thanksgivings shifted from chaotic to peaceful, why slowing down is the secret to rewiring your mind, and how gratitude becomes the bridge from striving to worship.
Whether you&rsquo;re early in your alcohol-free exodus or simply craving more peace this holiday season, this episode will help you pause, breathe, and remember: You don&rsquo;t need more wine to feel joy&mdash;you need more wonder.
📘 What You&rsquo;ll Learn in This Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why gratitude is literally the antidote to anxiety (Philippians 4:6&ndash;8)</li>
<li aria-level="1">The neuroscience behind how thankfulness rewires your brain for peace</li>
<li aria-level="1">How alcohol trains your brain for &ldquo;fast relief&rdquo; and gratitude retrains it for lasting joy</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical ways to slow down, stay present, and practice gratitude daily</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why gratitude transforms your relationship with God, and everyone else</li>
</ul>
💡 Tiny Tina Gratitude Practices
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Say &ldquo;thank you, Lord for ___&rdquo; at every stoplight this week 🚦</li>
<li aria-level="1">Write (or voice note) 3 things you&rsquo;re grateful for before bed</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practice breath prayer: Jesus in. Me out.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Share one &ldquo;proof of progress&rdquo; in the community&mdash;big or small</li>
<li aria-level="1">Turn up Gratitude by Brandon Lake or Goodness of God and worship it out 🎶</li>
<li aria-level="1">Memorize Philippians 4:6&ndash;8 to anchor your thoughts in truth</li>
<li aria-level="1">Look in the mirror and thank God for who you&rsquo;re becoming</li>
</ul>
💌 Links &amp; Resources
&nbsp;
Join The January 2026 40-Day Alcohol Fast!&nbsp;
<a href="http://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/januaryfast">https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/januaryfast</a>
📖 Books Mentioned:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Devotional-Reflections/dp/0310315441/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=21GX1RY88SB24&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tFEyc3gjZKd8FvB4yXuYCyuQ7rgYA1qXb8pV7MKuxnM7fffCsxUU37gbHK1SSGO0LEsmut0w7QdGpDFEssUolmivMC_Nye1vnPIk-Zf2lRWkk4FFN0TdrkUPN2BbXUxBVhL66jPctOM8pehW-QhufyYMOSEb1zHVKdGP9_q2qmeRW7NM7pqm_0T5dCCJQXT8NzGouy3FNYixWFBalmSLRgpJuekBu8MbXtNiW03yIPWtfS5CWDcqX-ZDE-kwaypuhOGnK6v8KcYN2FA_HRUalz_K6lVfCjfV0wOQlf-6zkU.wCfRH3CPnp3SL6Q1vwatPY9c81RRkhNs6V7mxIzlAYY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=one+thousand+gifts+ann+voskamp&amp;qid=1762944253&amp;sprefix=A+Thousand+Gifts+A%2Caps%2C245&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&amp;psc=1">A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://thekeepingcompany.com/products/gratitude-journal-gratitudes-and-beatitudes">The Keeping Company Gratitude Journal&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://amzn.to/3XSvoEr">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Prayer-Anxiety-Focus-Renew/dp/1400234581/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31TM592ZERAPI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NggI32SLsOGrqQMdjXUIJw.uVGoGTtz4QpsC-hanjx0y5_YLKyBswtx36k42ED4SMc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Brethe+as+Prayer&amp;qid=1762944212&amp;sprefix=brethe+as+pray%2Caps%2C188&amp;sr=8-1">Breath as Prayer By Jennifer Tucker.&nbsp;</a>
🎧 Worship Songs Mentioned:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://youtu.be/Na6P_kLI2FE?si=_yvLbxv4vryaW830">Gratitude &mdash; Brandon Lake</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo?si=B2ZWD3SREecgEWNP">Goodness of God &mdash; Jenn Johnson</a></li>
</ul>
🤝 Join our community: <a href="https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community">https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community</a>&nbsp;
📖 Order your copy of <a href="https://amzn.to/42l7z9C">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://amzn.to/42l7z9C">https://amzn.to/42l7z9C</a>&nbsp;
📲 Connect on Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/butjesusdrankwine">@butjesusdrankwine</a>
🎥 Watch on YouTube: Come hang out with us <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrjJZX8540dsaAULtVbM0w">HERE</a> !
The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Join Meade and Christy, two retired-over-drinkers turned freedom-from-alcohol coaches, as they explore all of the stories that kept them stuck in the nightly over-drinking cycle, including but certainly not limited to "But Jesus drank wine?" If you're looking for two Christian women who get real about how wine held them back and explore tricky questions about drinking (and beyond!) with grace, compassion, and zero judgment, this is the podcast for you.

Want more? Join The BJDW Community! We hold space for sober and sober curious women who love Jesus or are eager to reconnect with him.

Join Meade and Christy, two retired-over-drinkers turned freedom-from-alcohol coaches, as they explore all of the stories that kept them stuck in the nightly over-drinking cycle, including but certainly not limited to "But Jesus drank wine?" If you're looking for two Christian women who get real about how wine held them back and explore tricky questions about drinking (and beyond!) with grace, compassion, and zero judgment, this is the podcast for you.
Want more? Join <a href="https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community">The BJDW Community</a>! We hold space for sober and sober curious women who love Jesus or are eager to reconnect with him.

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