I don’t know about you, but that’s how I’m feeling this Thanksgiving. My guess is I’m far from alone.
Most of you know that expressing gratitude is highly beneficial. It lowers stress responses, wards off negativity, and opens the heart to light, goodness, and grace. In short, those of us who adopt an attitude of gratitude tend to be the happiest people.
But there is more to life than blessings. There’s hurt and pain and sorrow. Should we ignore them? Absolutely not. Expressing grief, acknowledging the loss, is also critically important to emotional well-being.
Grief stems from a wounded heart. Some cuts are small, others are immense, but they each need to be addressed. Wounds not properly cleansed fester, decay, and spread. Failing to give a voice to grief leads to anxiety, bitterness, and resentment.
If you’re feeling like I am, I encourage you to join me. Let’s be certain to be grateful for the many blessings the Lord has provide AND still acknowledge our grief. That way we’ll have both a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
Be blessed, my friends.
Ann
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7
Ann Wilds 