The Power of Gratitude

For us, we’ve got kids that are another year older, and we also have some loved ones who won’t be around the table this year. It’s interesting how a day focused on giving thanks for what we have can also highlight the things (and people) we don’t.Depression. Discouragement. Loneliness. Disconnection. Thanksgiving can highlight all of these. The gatherings, the family photos, the seemingly perfect social media posts—they can feel like a stark reminder of what's missing in our lives. Guess what? These feelings aren’t limited to you. In fact, even great biblical figures like David wrestled with despair, at one point asking, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?"

The antidote is gratitude.

Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect. It's about finding light in the darkness.

When loneliness or discouragement threatens to overwhelm us, gratitude becomes a powerful counterforce. It's not a magical cure, but a deliberate practice of shifting our focus. Here are three practical ways to cultivate gratitude when despair feels closest:

1. Quiet the Noise of Negativity: Limit exposure to sources that drain your spirit. This might mean unfollowing social media accounts that trigger comparison, or setting boundaries with relationships that consistently leave you feeling worse.
2. Embrace Small Moments of Appreciation: Gratitude lives in the details. It's the warmth of morning coffee. The kindness of a stranger. A text from a friend. A hug from a family member. These moments are always present, even when joy feels distant. Don’t overlook them.
3. Create a Gratitude Ritual: Start small. Each day, write down three things you're thankful for—even if they seem insignificant. Some days, "I made it" is enough of an accomplishment. When you keep a memory bank, you can visit when you need a withdrawal.

Gratitude helps us not take things for granted, it reminds us that connection exists, that beauty persists, and that hope is not lost.

This week, be grateful for the things you typically take for granted. American journalist Germany Kent famously said, “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” In other words, when you appreciate what you have, you forget what you don’t.