No matter how depressed you feel right now, rest in the knowledge that hope is ahead and that God will continue to walk with you through the good and bad (Psalm 23).
Thankfulness is often associated with the iconic holiday of Thanksgiving, yet we need to practice thankfulness throughout the year. However, practicing thankfulness while battling depression can be difficult. Depression makes us feel extremely sad and hopeless. With depression, it can be hard to get out of bed in the morning, let alone count our blessings. While depression is a tough illness, it is still possible to practice thankfulness.
Depression and Thankfulness
I have personally struggled with depression since I was a young teen. Although I was not diagnosed until I was an adult, I am aware that I have struggled with depression for nearly twelve years, which means I have gone through twelve seasons of the Thanksgiving holiday battling depression.
Depression normally causes us to believe the worst-case scenarios will happen to us and make us feel quite bleak concerning the future. Since those of us who struggle with depression often find it hard to be thankful, let alone feel anything, it can be hard to practice thankfulness. From my experience, depression has caused me to feel extremely numb. Instead of feeling happy, excited, or calm, I mostly feel nothing. Maybe in your own battles with depression, you feel this way too. When we feel overly sad, hopeless, or numb, it can be hard to have a thankful outlook.
But take heart! Depression should not be treated as a sin because it is not a sin. Depression is a mood disorder that can be treated and helped with therapy and medication. If you are struggling with depression, don’t feel guilty. It is not your fault that you are battling depression. In the same way, if you know a person struggling with depression, don’t tell them they are horrible or make them feel guilty over their mental illness.
If you are battling depression today, you know how difficult practicing thankfulness can be. It can seem as if there is nothing to be thankful for. Let me first say that your feelings are completely valid. I know firsthand how hopeless one can feel amid depression. During my most difficult season of depression, I didn’t want to get out of bed because I felt there was nothing to live for—my home life was difficult, I was in the early process of anorexia recovery while living with someone who actively adhered to anorexia, and I was drowning under the pressure of work and seminary. I say this to help you know that you’re not alone. Even in our depression, we can still be thankful despite our circumstances.
Thankful List
We can practice thankfulness while battling depression by making a thankful list. During my darkest days of depression, my therapist had me craft a thankful list. On this list, I had to record everything I was thankful for. My therapist had me start with little things, such as being thankful for oxygen in my lungs, being thankful for a new day, and being thankful for food and water. While these may not sound like major reasons to be thankful for many, they are true blessings. The oxygen we have in our lungs each morning is only because of Christ, the new day is only because of Christ, and our food and water are from Christ.
After I listed little things, my therapist had me move on to weightier things, such as being thankful for my family, friends, and pets. More than anything, I started recognizing how many things I had to be thankful for. Looking to heaven, we can all be thankful for God. He is the Giver of all things, and He has given us eternal life through His Son. We only live because of God, and we can only have eternal life by placing faith in His Son by believing that He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
God loves us, and this is something we can be extremely thankful for. Since God loves us, we can practice thankfulness. Even if we don’t feel thankful for our present situation, we can be thankful for God. He never leaves us, and He promises to love us always. God loved us before we were born because He created us (Psalm 139:13-16). At our darkest moments, God knows our hearts, and He still loves us. We can be thankful for God loving us at all times.
Being thankful while battling depression is hard—I understand, and my heart goes out to you. Choosing to be thankful amid depression shows the mark of true Christian character. Being thankful despite difficult situations shows great Christian maturity. Be proud of yourself when you are actively being thankful in the dark days of your depression. I know it is hard, but you are so strong for actively choosing to be thankful.
Depression tempts us to think everything is hopeless, but being thankful reminds us there is hope. There are so many things to be thankful for, even if we don’t see them right now. There is daylight in the future, and in time, the dark cloud will lift from your heart and mind. It might take time, and the depression might come back, but there are better days ahead. No matter how depressed you feel right now, rest in the knowledge that hope is ahead and that God will continue to walk with you through the good and bad (Psalm 23).
Sing Praises
You can also practice thankfulness while battling depression by singing praises to God. Even if you don’t think you’re the best singer, God loves to hear your voice. Lift up your voice and sing praises to His Name. I’ve noticed in my own life that simply singing a song will help me feel a million times more thankful even when I’m going through a duration of depression. Singing praises to God causes a heart of thankfulness to grow inside us.
We can be thankful without having a beaming smile on our face. Oftentimes, there will be tears in our eyes when we are practicing thankfulness. From my own experience, I tend to cry when I am thankful rather than smile. Hearing a worship song of Christ’s love and goodness causes me to cry every time. To know that Christ loves me even though I don’t deserve His love brings me so much thankfulness. Maybe this same feeling resonates with you.
Often we think of thankfulness as being happy, full of laughter and smiles when it can be the opposite. If this is how you process thankfulness, know that it is okay. With depression, it is common to express yourself with tears rather than a joyful spirit. Remember, nobody expects you to fake a smile just for a picture or to endure the day with a disingenuous presence. True loved ones would never force you to fake anything.
If you need some help practicing thankfulness while battling depression, turn to the Lord, make a thankful list, and sing praises with all your heart to Him. Each of these things will help you practice thankfulness while battling depression. Even though it can be hard to practice thankfulness amid crippling depression, it is entirely possible. Take it step by step and day by day. If you mess up every once in a while, it is okay. Give yourself grace and keep trying again. The Lord is happy you are trying to practice thankfulness while battling depression.
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