Reference Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus.” https://youtu.be/Hp_0t_8UkH4
Dr. Buck: Hello to my family and friends, and welcome to this special Healing Heart Thanksgiving podcast. I’m taking a brief pause this week from our main series as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, and my heart is truly filled with gratitude for you and for the constant, unshakable peace we find in Christ.
This week, I have a special treat that I want to share with you: my warm cacoa infusion drink as well as a look into the verse found in Thessalonians 5: 18 and how God uses your heartfelt thankfulness to deepen your power and authority in Him. The Apostle Paul’s instruction is simple, yet profound: “Give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus.” And with us today to help unpack this verse is my digital assistant, Abby.
Abby: Dr. Buck, that verse is a powerful verse, but for your listeners, it may prove challenging. If Christians are directed to give thanks in everything, how will they find courage and peace when the circumstances themselves feel scary or unjust?
Dr. Buck: That’s the question we all wrestle with, Abby, and the answer is rooted in our spiritual authority in Christ. Giving thanks isn’t a feeling; it’s a deliberate choice. It means not allowing the difficulty to separate us from the life and love of God, but choosing to anchor ourselves in His hope and His divine purpose, and we do this when we are right in the middle of it. This deliberate choice is the foundation of inner joy and peace, and it is God’s perfect will for us.
Abby: I logically understand that choice, Dr. Buck, but doesn’t the human body feel stress from difficult situations? Does practicing gratitude actually help your listener’s physical health, or is it just a spiritual feeling?
Dr. Buck: That’s a critical connection, Abby. And you’re spot on. My personal experiences remind me that stress takes a physical toll. In contrast, being thankful interrupts the stress cycle. You see, we co-labor with God. As we begin to thank God for making a way through the situation. God stirs up in your heart and spirit. the wisdom and courage to respond in love. All the while setting healthy and wholesome boundaries for us
Dr. Buck. If your listeners practice this kind of grateful seeking, how does that choice become an ‘unshakable anchor’ for wisdom and understanding?
Dr. Buck: Oh, that speaks to the very connection we’ve been exploring. Abby The thankfulness that the Apostle Paul speaks about, waters the seed of God’s Word in our hearts by giving thanks for what we have and who God is. We work alongside of God’s Holy Spirit, who cultivates the soil of our heart into good, unshakeable ground. This is the kind of ground that is fertile for wisdom and understanding. And it draws us into the fullness of God’s purpose and life. Abby, would you like to share the recipe for the Healing Heart Warm infusion?
Abby: Of course, Dr. Buck. Your listeners can also find the recipe on your blog at livinglifesway.org.
It’s made with simple, nourishing ingredients designed to comfort their body and fuel their mind. You will be using raw organic cacao for its highest nutrient retention, making this truly a whole-health treat.
Here are the Ingredients:
- 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 2 tablespoons Raw Cacao Powder
- 1 tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Almond Butter
- 1 teaspoon Chia Seeds (pre-soak these for 10-15 minutes to prevent floating!)
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 dash Cinnamon
- Tiny pinch Sea Salt
- (Optional: 1/4 teaspoon Natural Banana Extract for added sweetness/flavor, you can also add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Full-Fat Coconut Milk Cream for a luxurious texture)
The 4 Preparation Steps are:
1. Create the Slurry Base: In your mug, mix the Cacao Powder and Cinnamon with just a splash (2-3 Tbsp) of cold Almond Milk until a smooth, thick paste forms.
2. Add Thickeners: Stir in the pre-soaked Chia Seeds and Almond Butter into the paste.
3. Add Liquid/Flavor: Pour in the remaining Almond Milk. Stir in the Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract, and Sea Salt (Full-Fat Coconut Milk Cream and Banana Extract, if using).
4. Gentle Heat: Microwave the mixture in 30-45 second bursts, stirring in between, until comfortably warm. Avoid boiling to preserve the high-value nutrients of the raw cacao.
Dr. Buck: Thank you, Abby. And I want to let my listeners know that as you sip this warm Infusion, pause and find one thing to truly give thanks for right now. Let this simple act reinforce your anchor in God’s love.
And remember, as God gets bigger in your life, you get stronger.
Living Life's Way 