It certainly would seem that this Thanksgiving doesn’t give us a lot to be thankful for. We’re basically going into lockdown again. We’re not being permitted to gather with our families and loved ones. We’re seeing an economy slowly dying – a never ending election process – people losing jobs – some developing serious mental health issues – and the list goes on. We’re told to count our blessings, but they are often clouded by the negative news, the violent protests, the division and hopelessness that seem to be taking over the minds of even the most positive people.

Counting our blessings is really important to our mental health. When we get good news about a loved one and troubling health issues, it makes our hearts so glad. When we see the accomplishments of the children we’ve raised – when we watch our grandchildren grow into amazing adults – when we are blessed with good health and still have a spouse to share our lives with. These are all things that make our hearts glad.

The trials we face can also be considered blessings if you look at them in such a way. For example: Losing a job can lead to another door opening and a much better opportunity for advancement. Losing a child or a spouse and enduring the grief connected with it can make it possible for you to lift up someone else who is going through those same feelings. When we experience tough financial times, we grow more appreciative and can become compassionate to those who are in need. God allows these negatives in our lives to strengthen us as well as to use us to help others.

As we near Thanksgiving Day, it might be a good time to start thinking about our blessings, so that when we sit down to enjoy the feast, we have a clear vision of what we’re thankful for. God is so good. His love endures forever. His mercy endures forever. His patience and compassion will never die and He wants all of us to enjoy the greatest blessing of all – heaven.

When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you’re worried and you can’t sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.

Irving Berlin