Adult Education: November 2009

Feeling Grateful in Difficult Times

by Lorene Hanley Duquin

In November, our thoughts tend to turn to thankfulness.  But when times are tough and we’re faced with financial difficulties, gratitude might not be your first priority.

You may be surprised to discover, however, that cultivating gratitude is a great coping mechanism when you’re facing life challenges.

Here are some ways that gratitude can put you into a completely different mindset:

•  Gratitude can offset worry.  Thinking about the things you’re thankful for alleviates fear of the future.
•  Gratitude quells feelings of insecurity.  Thinking about your God-given gifts helps you to see that there is meaning and purpose in your life.
• Gratitude puts an end to envy.  Thinking about all the things in your life that you’re grateful for banishes feelings of jealousy.
  • Gratitude eases anger and resentment. Thinking about how grateful you are for the good things about someone who upset you helps makes you want to patch things up.
• Gratitude offsets feelings of sadness.  Thinking about how grateful you are for the good things in your life chases the blues away.
•  Gratitude alleviates stress.  Thinking about how grateful you are for everything that is going well in your life helps to restore a sense of peace.
• Gratitude keeps us from taking life for granted. Thinking about the beauty of nature, the kindness of other people, and the greatness of God helps you to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all areas of your life.

When you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, you begin to see yourself, other people, the world around you, and the God that made you in a new and exciting way.  Gratitude will transform your life and your attitude of gratitude will become one more thing that you can be grateful for – no matter what is going on in your life or in the world!