Does it feel like this year has given you little to be thankful for at Thanksgiving?
2020 has been a hard season for just about everyone. Between the stresses of leading during a pandemic, the personal isolation from family and friends, the societal injustices and unrest, and the cancellation of so many events, it would be natural to feel disappointment rather than thankfulness. Instead of counting our blessings, we tend to focus on the number of things that have gone wrong.
However, God’s Word tells us to “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Even if your current situation doesn’t look the way you had hoped it would, there are still many things that you can (and should) be thankful for. In fact, our losses can help remind us of gifts we often take for granted, making us more grateful for all we have been given. Every good thing comes from the Father (James 1:17), and gratitude helps us fully enjoy those gifts.
To help you identify and reflect on just some of the ways that God has been good to you this year, here is a simple “20 Reasons to Give Thanks” worksheet that you can use as part of your Thanksgiving celebration. For each of the 20 prompts, jot down at least one item in the category that you can be thankful for. Share it with your family, so you can remind each other of God’s faithfulness and be encouraged that He is still at work in every circumstance (Romans 8:28).