Trading Anxiety for Gratitude

While the upcoming holiday season is a time of joy and thanksgiving, for many, it can also be a time of anxiety, stress, and sadness. Whether it’s the stress of coordinating family visiting from out of town, or maybe the sadness that a loved one won’t be with you this year, it’s easy to become distracted and forget what we are celebrating.  As Thanksgiving draws closer, the promise from Philippians 4:6-7 resonates with me: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

It’s beautiful that God gives us this divine support. We can give Him our stress, worries, and anxieties, and in return, He gives us love, peace, and understanding. I especially like that this passage specifies to bring your requests “with thanksgiving”. Being grateful, even for the hardships that all of us have in our lives, is essential for happiness and well-being.

When we’re grateful to God for the blessings and hardships, we acknowledge that He is sovereign, He cares for us, and He has already provided everything we need in this moment. True gratitude isn't just for the blessings we receive; it's the faith that He is working even when we are uncertain. This Thanksgiving, let God’s peace take root and blossom into a truly thankful season. 

Author
Gabrielle Riter
West Los Angeles Campus Librarian