The 3-Step Plan for Finding Joy This Thanksgiving

When life gets tough, it can feel challenging to be thankful.

Thanksgiving can seem more overwhelming than joyful, between work stress, money worries, and the pressure to make everything perfect. But what if finding joy isn’t about having everything together? What if it’s about seeing the good things, even when life feels messy?

Choosing Gratitude in Tough Times

I remember working on a project I really believed in.

The plans were set, the team was ready, and we were excited. Then came launch day—and everything went wrong. Hardly anyone showed up; technical problems happened, and I felt defeated.

That night, as I questioned everything, something unexpected happened. A small voice inside me told me to give thanks. It seemed strange and almost impossible, but I started listing things I was grateful for. As I did, something changed inside me. The situation was still the same, but I felt different. This taught me a big lesson: gratitude doesn’t change what happens to us but changes how we think about it.

Gratitude isn’t a magic trick that makes problems go away. It’s more like a pair of glasses that help us see the parts of our lives we usually overlook when things are hard. When you choose to be grateful, even during tough times, it can help you see the beauty in the struggle—the lessons, the kindness from others, and the growth that comes from challenging experiences. It’s a choice that says, “I see the challenges, but I also choose to see what’s still good.”

The Science of Gratitude

Science supports what many people have long believed: gratitude can help us feel better. Studies show that practicing gratitude can make us happier, improve our mental health, and even help us physically by lowering stress and blood pressure. Think of gratitude as an exercise for your mind. Just like we work out to strengthen our bodies, practicing gratitude helps our minds become stronger. It helps us handle stress, setbacks, and challenges with more ease.

Three Simple Steps to Finding Joy

There is wisdom in old teachings, like in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, that can guide us to being more thankful. Here are three simple steps to help you be more grateful:

1. Find Joy in Small Moments

This isn’t about forcing yourself to be happy or pretending everything is okay. It’s about finding small moments of peace, even in tough times. It could be the warmth of the sun in the morning, a smile from a stranger, or an unexpected message from a friend.

2. Talk About How You Feel

When life feels overwhelming, it’s essential to talk about it. You can pray, write in a journal, or converse honestly with a friend. Talking helps us release the emotions we keep inside. You don’t have to carry the burden alone.

When you open up, you let others support you and offer a different perspective. Sharing both your struggles and your joys makes you feel closer to others. When we share gratitude, it spreads to others and becomes more powerful.

3. Practice Thankfulness Every Day

Being thankful “in all circumstances” doesn’t mean we have to be happy about everything that happens. It means looking for something good, even when things are hard. It could be a small win during a tough time or remembering the people there for us.

This practice is critical during tough times. Even on the worst days, there is often something—even tiny—that we can be grateful for. Gratitude is not about ignoring our problems but noticing the parts that bring us light.

How to Make Gratitude a Daily Habit

It’s easy to talk about gratitude, but how do we make it a habit daily? Here are some simple ways to add gratitude to your daily routine:

• Start Each Morning with Gratitude: Before you start your day or check your phone, take a moment to think of three things you are thankful for. This will help set a positive tone for the day.
• Turn Complaints into Appreciation: We all complain sometimes. When you catch yourself complaining, pause. Ask if there’s something in that situation you can appreciate—maybe a lesson or even just a chance to grow.
• Share Gratitude at Meals: When you eat with others, encourage everyone to share one thing they’re grateful for. It’s a simple way to connect and focus on the good things in life.
• Keep a Gratitude Journal: Write down things you are grateful for, even small ones. When you’re having a tough day, looking back at your journal can remind you of the good things in your life.
• Express Appreciation to Others: Gratitude is not just about what’s good in our lives—it’s also about thanking the people who make a difference. Write a thank-you note, call, or say “I appreciate you” to someone who has helped you.

The Ripple Effect of Gratitude

Gratitude doesn’t just help us—it also affects the people around us. We become kinder, more patient, and happier when we practice gratitude. These changes help improve our relationships, whether at work, at home, or in the community.

Think about it: when someone appreciates you, you’re likelier to be kind to others. Gratitude creates a cycle that builds a positive atmosphere. It can change how we interact at work, strengthen family bonds, or even make a community feel more connected. When gratitude becomes a habit, it changes how we see the world and how others see us.

Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving

Gratitude isn’t just for Thanksgiving—it’s a powerful habit we can practice all year. We often find unexpected joy when we focus less on what’s missing and more on what’s already here. Even during loss or struggle, gratitude can help keep us grounded.

Think of gratitude like a garden. It needs daily care. Some days, you might only find a tiny sprout of thankfulness growing through tough soil. On other days, your garden might be full of apparent blessings. Both are important. Both help us grow.

We often think that joy comes when everything is perfect. But absolute pleasure isn’t about perfection—it’s about perspective. When we choose gratitude, we see joy is often closer than we think, sometimes hiding in the small moments we usually miss.

A Personal Challenge for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, try something different. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect to feel grateful, practice gratitude daily. Start small. Thank someone who made your day better. Notice the simple pleasures you might overlook—like a warm cup of coffee, a hug, or the colors of fall leaves.

Write down one good thing that happened today. It doesn’t have to be huge; even a tiny moment can be meaningful. The more you look for the good, the more you’ll see and feel it.

Remember: gratitude isn’t about ignoring the tough stuff or pretending everything is okay. It’s about finding light even in dark times, hope when things are uncertain, and reasons to keep moving forward when life feels hard.

Your situation might not change overnight, but your perspective can change significantly. By choosing gratitude, you might find that joy isn’t found in perfect conditions but in noticing the good that exists along with life’s challenges.

Gratitude Is a Daily Choice

Gratitude is powerful because it takes effort. Focusing on what’s wrong or missing is easy—our brains are used to doing that. But when we choose to be grateful, we focus on what we have, what’s good, and what’s enough. And in that choice, we find joy, peace, and strength.

This Thanksgiving, let’s consider gratitude not something we do only once a year but a choice we make every day. In doing so, we might find that joy is closer than we realize. Even when things aren’t perfect, we can still be surrounded by goodness, grace, and many reasons to give thanks.