This year has been an amazing one for me. I graduated from college, I got married, and I am starting my own business. While some might find all these changes overwhelming, it’s been nothing but an adventure thus far. And that in itself is what I am thankful for this year. A couple of years ago, this would not be the case. With all the changes that were going on then (a new college, lots of uncertainty, etc.), I started developing an anxiety disorder. I won’t go into the unpleasant details, but I felt like life as I knew it had ended. Everything was a struggle for me; just leaving the house brought on feelings of panic. I felt trapped in my own body and angry at it for becoming out of my control.
But with help from my family, my husband, and most of all my faith, I slowly was able to heal. What got me through it was knowing that no matter what there were people who loved me, and that God promised “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. Two years later and I wouldn’t say I’m back to my old self, but much better. Fear no longer controls me – if it did I would not be taking the risk of starting my own business that’s for sure!
So today as you are sitting down with family and friends, or perhaps spending it alone (we all have those years sometimes), take this time to really think about what you are thankful for. For some this task may be easy, for others it may be difficult. But I know that wherever you are at, be thankful that you are given choices. Be thankful that, though it may not always be apparent, someone does care about you. And, be thankful that life is ever changing and valleys are followed by peaks. Happy Thanksgiving:)
~Maria
kkdkutler
2 years ago
great verse! I remember you telling me about that but I really think this is a great post.. I have tried to add not just once a year thankful day to look at all the great things but I am striving to make a daily effort to really be thankful for each day i am given. There is not one person in the world who can’t be thankful for something every day.. and I hope to not forget how much a blessing every day is in my life. counting your blessings and being thankful is the key to contentment. You will be the richest person alive if you can get a hold of this, because no matter what you realize how much you have. When I was in africa, I saw people living with less then I and yet they had a mindset that they were blessed, If I have made more then them in two years what they may make in a lifetime, and yet still I am feeling left out then something is wrong. That is the biggest thing that helps me remember how great and blessed my life truly is.