Can Anxiety and Gratitude Coexist?

One way we can deescalate our anxiety is through gratitude. A spirit of thanksgiving leaves little room for anxiety to creep in. We hope this will help you and your family!

It has been said that the brain cannot respond to anxiety and gratitude at the same time. Why is that? Recently one of our pastors gave a message called The Antidote to Anxiety. Though he was teaching adults and not children, the antidote he described is universal to all humans. We can help our children overcome anxiety with this same biblical instruction.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is the framework for dealing with anxiety: don't worry, but pray to God with thanksgiving. When we focus our mind on all we have to be grateful for, we shift our perspective. Even if things are not going okay, we are able to crowd out the bad stuff with all of the good that is real in our lives. 

The passage in Philippians promises that when we focus on being thankful, instead of what worries us, we can experience peace. Therefore, giving thanks is essential to our mental well-being and can help us overcome anxiety. Here are just a few simple ways to help your child focus on all that is good so that there is little room for feeling anxious. 

Conversation Starters: 

For the conversation starters, think drive time, meal time, bed time, or really anytime! 

• “Who is a person in our life that you are grateful for and why?”
• “What is something you use everyday that you are glad you have?”
• “What is something about Jesus you’re thankful for?”
• “What was a “thumbs up” about the day?”
• “How did you see God answer a prayer?”
• “What is your favorite thing about your room?”
• “What is something God did for you today that made you smile?”

Family Gratitude Journal: 

This is one the whole family can do, including you! Keep a journal at the dinner table or in a central place in the home. Begin writing down things that you are grateful for. It can be as simple as “chicken nuggets” or “blanket.” It can also be an answered prayer such as “thankful God helped me use self-control when I was angry.” At key times in the day, read some of the entries in your journal to remind each other of how God is good and working good in our lives.

Thanking others: 

Taking time to thank others is a way to focus on people that God has placed in our lives who love us. When we appreciate the people in our lives, we realize we are not alone but have a community of support surrounding us. It is also a way to strengthen our relationships and create even stronger bonds with our friends and family. 

Who’s the “Hype Person”?:

A hype person is likely the one cheering, “give it up for…” or shouting and chanting affirmations to others with enthusiasm and praise. They bring life into any situation. Help your kids be “Joy Givers” instead of “Joy Suckers;” it’s way more fun! This will help them focus on the positives of life and bring others along with them. And, of course, as parents, we need to lead the way! Do we bring energy, enthusiasm and praise to everyday life? Our kids will usually model what we do!

As you help your child focus on all the things to be thankful for, don’t forget to pray and acknowledge that it is our God in heaven who created us and loves us and provides these wonderful things!

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Written By

MecKidz