5 Reasons To Celebrate Thanksgiving (even if it’s been a hard year)

Gratitude can get swallowed up in the bitter and hard. It can disappear in the daily grumblings and the acrid tears. 

That’s why Thanksgiving Day is vital to our well-being. It focuses us in at least 5 ways: 

1. Reminds us that despite outward appearances sometimes to the contrary, each one of us is blessed 
2. Strengthens relationships
3. Lightens our heart just a bit
4. Distracts us with the comfort of food and fellowship
5. Prepares our heart posture for Advent/Christmas season

5 ways Thanksgiving is vital to our well-being. Can you think of others? Click To Tweet

Yes, Thanksgiving blessings abound!

Be Reminded

Okay, I agree, blessings can seem absent when we’re in the throws of a difficult situation. During those times, it’s like God doled the gifts out to everyone else, but missed us. 

Oh, but dear sisters, that couldn’t be farther from the truth! God delights in blessing each of us.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Although not always easily noticed to our human senses and understanding, we can count on blessings being there. Always. 

Intentionally seeking out the gifts of the day (even the seemingly little ones) brings an entirely new perspective and brightens cloudy days. 

Intentionally seeking out the gifts of the day brings an entirely new perspective and brightens cloudy days. Click To Tweet

Strengthen Relationships

As we gather with family, friends and neighbors over turkey and dressing we strengthen those relationships.

Sometimes Thanksgiving Day serves as a starting block to restore a broken relationship — an expected gathering that offers an opportunity to address uncomfortable issues. Other times, it’s about reconnecting and encouraging.

However, it looks — a family reunion, a get-together of friends, a local or church gathering — we all need community. And Thanksgiving is tailor-made for it. 

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Lighten Your Load

Sharing life with others can serve to lighten the load we carry. Even if we don’t want to bring up our deepest pain, chatting about the daily ebb and flow of life can be a great release.

It can often bring a new perspective as well. 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Find Distractions and Comfort

Sometimes that hard thing won’t go away anytime soon. Thanksgiving can serve as a distraction from the weightiness of it all or bring a needed change to the everyday routine. 

Let the delicious once-a-year foods comfort you. Let yourself be drawn into the laughter and lightheartedness of the day.

Let yourself be refreshed!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Prepare for Jesus

Thanksgiving opens into the season of Advent. That time of preparation for the birth of the Christ-child. 

As we take time to reflect on the gifts we’ve received throughout the year, our hearts become more aligned with the Lord. Creating a worshipful and humble attitude. 

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. James 4:8

Thanksgiving Blessings

The commercial hype over Christmas threatens to swallow up Thanksgiving. Yet, the benefits of observing this day should not be underestimated. 

Let Thanksgiving be a time for relationship and food. Let it also be a time of cleansing, refreshing and humbling.

And since gratitude propagates humility, coming out of this season of thanks you’ll be in a perfect posture for receiving the Savior. 

Gratitude propagates humility, creating a perfect posture for receiving the Savior Click To Tweet

Reflections: How will you celebrate Thanksgiving this year? If you’re not in the United States, do you celebrate a day of thanksgiving? 

More than 4 years of counting and I’ve surpassed 4,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #4,495–4,515. Read my entire list by clicking here.