Turning Disappointment Into Thankfulness

I’ve caught myself complaining and being pessimistic lately. It has to do with “The Year of Disappointments” as I’ve so lovingly labeled 2020. I’m so disappointed in not celebrating major events this year, vacations and trips being cancelled, my list of concerts I wanted to see that I did not see, and forced solitude that makes this extrovert frustrated. If I dare turn on the news, within five minutes, it will make this typically thankful, happy person a little pessimistic.

This pessimism of mine HAS to stop. But HOW? When I asked God, I immediately heard, “with thankfulness”. That’s appropriate given the season. Thanksgiving is truly my favorite holiday. What’s not to love about being surrounded by friends and family with the sole activity of eating. No presents required, no decorations to be had, no multiple activities leading up to the holiday - just one activity - eating the Thanksgiving meal full of my favorite foods. YUM!

Gratitude truly is a spiritual discipline. Some people keep a Gratitude Journal where they list things they’re thankful for every day. I’ve done that inconsistently. Recently, when our power came back on after being out for three days, I remember telling God for all the things I was thankful. Obviously, power was at the top of my list, but it was followed by things like not having to drive twenty minutes for my first cup of coffee, half and half in my coffee, and being able to brew my own coffee. Are you sensing a theme?

I went on to list things like fixing my hair in my bathroom because while our power was out, I went to our church, which had power, and fixed my hair in the parking lot where there was an outdoor outlet. Then there were the actual important things like not having a tree fall on our house, barn, or fences as well as everyone, including all the animals, in the family being safe. It was quite a list of thankfulness. However, it didn’t take long to start taking those things for granted again. Nonetheless, reminding myself of all the things I'm grateful for did help refocus my attention.

Not only is thankfulness a spiritual discipline, but also it’s good for your health. There are many studies showing how thankfulness is good for both our mental and physical health. If you don’t believe me, read this article in Psychology Today. I bet if you have practiced the discipline of gratitude, you don’t have to read an article to know that’s true.

Part of being thankful is remembering, which the Bible is full of stories of remembrance. Being thankful usually comes after remembering what God has done. After remembering, we can be thankful and turn to the Lord and praise him as the psalmist in Psalm 106 does.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

who lives from everlasting to everlasting!

Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the Lord! (Ps 106:48)

I’m stealing an idea I saw from a friend on Instagram. She’s putting a white tablecloth on her Thanksgiving table and having people write something they’re thankful for on it then she plans on using it again each year. I’ve bought something to decorate our table to do the same thing. Join me in turning a “Year of Disappointment” into a “Year of Thankfulness”.

Let all the people say, "Amen!"

Praise the Lord!