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Thanksgiving stress can be relieved by giving thanks to God

Religion Columnist

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God…” Ephesians 5:20

After much positive response from readers on my free-from-stress holiday articles, my thoughts turned to Thanksgiving. I can only imagine how stressful portions of the first Thanksgiving were considering different personalities and cultures. When humans are added to the mix in any celebration, it is certain there will be some conflict.

While we all dream of that perfect Thanksgiving, real life never quite works out the way we wish. The media can take care of conflict in the span of 30 minutes and everyone is happy and reconciled. Real life is never that way.

There is the case of the fractured family. After the death of the elderly family members, the fractured family went in several directions. Group A celebrated with only their immediate family. Group B included all of the in-laws. Group C was totally ignored and was never invited to group A’s or B’s Thanksgiving Dinner ever again. Was group C bitter or resentful? No, they started their own Thanksgiving traditions.

Next is the case of the overbearing family member. This family member has their own agenda and everyone else has to put their plans aside to appease this person, who is never happy, even when they get their own way. These people have a biting tongue that hurts as they are trying to get sympathy from others. While others give in to them, they are secretly resentful and vow the situation will not repeat next year.

What about the family that simply doesn’t get along with each other? They pretend everything is just fine while secretly wish the dinner will soon end. They want to go home so they won’t have to be around these people again until next year. They are like a football team that breaks into huddles to exclude those around them.

Finally there is the person who is all alone in the world and dreads the frozen TV dinner or dining out alone. They don’t really want to be alone but avoid alternative opportunities.

Now the big question is what to do with all of these situations. First, we need to remember there are some people who can never be pleased. Some are even unaware they are making those around them both miserable and stressed out. Before you decide to give them a peace of your mind, take time alone with God to seek His counsel. Start by reminding yourself WHO you belong to. I recommend reading Ephesians 5 which begins: “Be ye therefore followers of God…And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…” (Verses 1-2)

Spend time praising God for what He has already done for you (see Verse 19). When your heart is ready through reading the Word and praising God, you are truly ready to give thanks for all things.

This certainly doesn’t mean you are thankful that a family member or other person is making your life miserable. Instead I believe it means you are thankful that God will see you through all things. A good example of this is Romans 8:28 that promises “all things work together for good to them that love God”. When a person is conducting himself/herself according to what God teaches something good will come from it even if we never see it.

Whatever you do after you have sought God’s Will, you will be prepared to face anything. With God’s help you will be able to overcome it in a spirit of thankfulness. Remember if you are looking for a place to spend Thanksgiving, First Baptist Church will serve a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It will be served on Thanksgiving Day from 11-1.

Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at:dawhittington

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