The Thanksgiving schedule looks vaguely familiar to most of us: Leave for your destination or start preparing days in advance if you’re the host. Arrive, visit, get caught up, watch the football games – and then it’s time to eat. Usually a prayer of thanks, fill up the plates, fill up the stomachs, and then rest it off. Watch more games or a movie, have seconds – and then rest it off. Finally, leave for home in enough time to get ready for those Black Friday sales!

Or, Thanksgiving might look surprisingly unfamiliar this year. Grief over a lost loved one. Having to work on the holiday. Financial hardship. Alone. Feelings of anxiety, sadness, and possibly depression.

One of the many great reminders of Thanksgiving is for us to take the time to slow down and reflect on how much we have to be grateful for. Last summer, I read a book called The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyers (strongly recommend). The chapter that stood out the most to me was called “The Discipline of Gratitude.” She talks about maintaining an “Attitude of Gratitude.” This comes from pages 88 and 89 of her book:

When I have a huge, unexpected, unwanted problem, my reaction is to complain, feel sorry for myself, and worry (me too – Dave’s words added). But through discipline, I am learning how to look away from anything that distracts me from God and His goodness and instead discipline myself to look for the blessings in my life. We can find something good in every discomfort if we will only look for it.

We can discipline ourselves to look for the good in things. A friend of mine shared this with me:

• I am thankful to be able to get out of bed every morning even if I am a little stiff or still sleepy, because it reminds me that I am alive and I have things to do each day.
• I am thankful when I have to cook a meal, because it reminds me that I have food to eat.
• I am thankful when I get sore from exercising, because it reminds me that I am blessed with health and strength.
• I am thankful when the oil in my car needs changing, because it reminds me that I have a car to take me where I need to go.
• I am thankful when I have to juggle invitations or opportunities to be with friends or family, because it reminds me that I am blessed with people to love and people who love me.
• I am thankful if my clothes feel a bit tight, because that reminds me I have plenty of food.
• I am thankful when I have to walk to another part of the house to turn off a light or to adjust the thermostat, because it reminds me that I have electricity and a comfortable home.
• I am thankful when I pay bills, because it reminds me that I am able to buy what I need.
• I am thankful when I fight traffic, because it reminds me that I have somewhere to go.

My friend’s list includes things most of us can relate to, so next time you find yourself in one of these situations, I hope you will remember to be thankful because of what it reminds you.

Conclusion: Maybe this is a perspective of what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It doesn’t mean we still can’t feel anxious, sad, disappointment, or frustration. Looking at the above list – I’m still a work in progress being thankful for bills, traffic, and my car breaking down. I’m reminded of a quote from speaker and author Bob Goff: “Don’t let setbacks become a camp site.”

I’m thankful for you! If this helped – please share with a friend that might need a word of encouragement.

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische