Relationships
In a pre-COVID survey conducted by the consumer health information site Healthline, 62% of Americans reported “very or somewhat” elevated levels of stress during the holidays. Unsurprisingly, navigating family dynamics was one of the top stressors.
Here’s how to take common scenarios and flip them on their head:
Grumble: My mother-in-law always storms into the kitchen and tells me what to do. Uncle Harry will probably drink too much again. And that unflattering story about me from childhood? It gets worse every year. I’ve had enough!
Gratitude: God, I am thankful for each person you’ve placed in my extended family, each of whom are carrying their own private burdens. Thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate things that matter so much to you – patience, grace, and above all else, love.
Grumble: The in-laws erupted into a tirade of political opinions last year. I wish they would just drop it.
Gratitude: I’m thankful to live in a country where we can vote our conscience and disagree openly about political positions.
Grumble: Our family argues about the same old, unhealed wounds when we get together. I’d rather just stay home.
Gratitude: God, thank you for the many examples in scripture where long-standing and bitter rifts found healing. Help me look for ways to play a part in healing in my family, too.
These are just a few common scenarios I can think of for how we might choose gratitude over grumbling. What are your ideas and experiences with the game-changer of gratitude? I’d love to read your comments below.
In the meantime, next week – the final week of this three-part Nix the Negativity series – we’ll tackle something none of us ever struggles with because we’re all perfect angels. (That’s a hint. And those of you familiar with chapter 7 of my book The Kindness Challenge may have already guessed the topic. I’ll see you back here next week.)
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