I UNDERSTAND from a learned friend that neuroscientists have now discovered that, whatever age we are, if we spend a few minutes each day being thankful, gradually our brains get “rewired” and our whole sense of wellbeing increases.

As I write, my wife and I are travelling across India on a 19-hour train journey. In the course of our travels, we have visited simple people in the villages and slums of India – people who have tiny homes and very few possessions. Yet we have been uplifted by the sense of gratitude, joy, peace and generosity we have been met with – as well as weighed down by the copious portions of food placed in front of us at every opportunity!

Philippians 4:4-7 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I’ll say it again: rejoice!...Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is a revelation to see our friends in India grasping this principle with such determination – and good to see science finally catching up!