Nov. 2019

Here we are in the Thanksgiving season again! I love the Thanksgiving holiday partially because gratitude is such an important character trait for Christ-followers. Christians have a special reason to adopt the attitude of gratitude, because we know that whatever comes, our times are in God's hands. It was Jesus who said, in effect, "So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too," (see Matt. 6:34).

If you want to help your kids develop an attitude of gratitude in the run-up to Thanksgiving Day, I encourage you to try an experiment that might radically influence your family. It's called "Thank Therapy." Thank Therapy is simply focusing on the many things in your life for which you can be thankful. The first time I tried this, I took out a notebook and wrote at the top, "Twenty Reasons Why I'm Thankful." The first few were easy; but I really struggled to write down twenty reasons why I was thankful. Thank Therapy is simply an act of the will to concentrate on the good and not the bad.

No matter what your family circumstances, you can find reasons to be thankful. As a family, take a few minutes, grab a notebook and pen, and make your list of things for which your family is grateful. When you focus on positive things in your life and give thanks for them, the load seems lighter. Make thankfulness a habit in your family and watch good things happen.

Christians have every reason to be thankful because Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice his very life in order to set us free from the constraints of sin. Paul explained it this way: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us," (Rom. 5:8). With this expression of love, we can begin to understand the depth of thankfulness that can transform our hearts. Yes, your family circumstances might be difficult. But because you have a Lord who cares for every aspect of your family life, you can be assured you're not alone in your struggles.

Building this attitude of gratitude into the lives of your kids now will be a source of strength throughout their lives. Don't let this opportunity to build your family pass you by. Begin building a family culture of thankfulness as soon as possible! Practice Thank Therapy!