Breaking the Darkness

The world’s burdens have felt extra heavy the last couple of years. Our collective mental health took great hits as we could not hold to our denial of life’s fragility during a global pandemic. Just when we needed each other more, we were physically isolated. Instead of being able to support each other, we became more divided by confusion and cowardly bullying behind social media screens and even through mainstream media.

The continual feed of gloom from our news sources, and all the speculation about it, plunged many of us into depression. Our kids feel it too, and many of them are also now facing a pandemic of mental health problems.

The way out of the darkness we face may seem hard to find, but Scripture points to a way that often cuts against the grain of reason. It is thanksgiving—not just when things are going well or the trendy tradition of an annual holiday, but a lifestyle of gratitude—that has the power to change a person’s worldview. It adjusts the heart attitude so we can look at our circumstances through grace, positivity, and hope. Thanksgiving is a lifeline, an oxygen mask for us and our kids.

David grabbed hold of that lifeline often. Like in Psalm 69, where he is struggling with great hardship. He sings, “Save me, God! I am about to drown” (verse 1). And “Many terrible people want to destroy me” (verse 4). And even, “I am crushed by insults, and I feel sick” (verse 20).

Still, through these great challenges, David focuses his song and his heart on the one who never forsakes him. He chooses to set his heart on thankfulness.

I will praise the Lord God with a song and a thankful heart.

Psalm 69:30 (CEV)

Over and over in the Bible we are told to give thanks. Remembering the blessings we are engulfed by, and the loving, creative, sovereign Master behind them, pulls us into the riptide of joy.

So as we kick off this Thanksgiving season, create some habits that will help your family adopt a lifestyle of gratitude. When someone is despairing, tell them, “Stop and tell me five things you can thank God for!” Look at the half-full part of the glass; so when the soccer team is losing, at least they get to play and they are learning. Add more thanksgiving into your prayers at meal times. Do whatever you can to help your family stay on a path of thankfulness.

PRAY

Lord, forgive me for focusing only on the negative. Thank You for this invitation to see as You see. And thank You for the blessings I can’t even know or number. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: What has God blessed you with today? What has He blessed your family with?

Apply: Be certain to tell your kids what you are thankful for—especially that you are thankful for them!

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Read these passages today.

Psalm 100:4-5

Philippians 4:6-7