Jimbo's Jots

It’s the week of Thanksgiving! I’m ready for it! The turkey! The sides! The desserts!

In the month of November, it gives us an opportunity to really focus on the gift of thanksgiving. We celebrate all of the blessings that we have been given over the past year. It is a time to pause before the business of the Christmas season happens. Some will take advantage of this time to acknowledge publicly either face to face or through social media those favors they have received.

Being thankful and remembering to give thanks is also a great way to redirect our minds and hearts away from the anxiety and tension we often feel burdened with. Several weeks ago, I shared about how we as Christians can be Christ-like even during the election. Many were anxious about the outcome and the weeks leading up to the outcome. Some struggled with the “sky is falling” thinking.

Many that I work with in counseling struggle with their anxiety and often just cannot seem to see beyond the worst case scenario. They fixate on one possible ending. Just the other day, sitting in a session, I was trying to help the client realize that they have the power to write a new “ending” to the story that was being played out in their head and how they saw themselves.

JC: “What do you like about yourself? Let’s generate a list.”

CT: “Not much really! I think, maybe, . . .”

JC: “A different list. What is it that you don’t like? What would you like to change?”

CT: “I’m not sure there is enough time to answer that.”

I quickly noted that we often focus on too much that is wrong with us. I encouraged the client to take some time between sessions to generate a list of blessings.

So let’s all try this. How about we create a list of blessings and favors we have been given. Let us fill our hearts and minds overflowing with thanksgiving!

Be blessed and thankful! Be a blessing to others with thanksgiving!