Director’s Blog – Nov 2019

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the fight against discouragement is an epic battle that’s being played out on my email, Facebook, cellphone, TV set…  All around me are situations that I can’t control and they weigh on my heart and mind.   And then…there are the things that I’ve done that add to the weight… emails I forgot to return, a harsh word spoken out, dropping a ball here and there, being lazy in loving others well…

But… I propose that there is a way to fight the battle of discouragement–

FIND WAYS TO BE THANKFUL IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thess. 5:18

I realize it sounds impossible and a lot more work to take our “Eeyore” thoughts captive.

Quite frankly, it’s hard to always be thankful.  It’s a lot easier to fall into discouragement, resentment, pessimism, and hopelessness.  God’s Word, however, is very direct about letting your heart become “sick.”

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.- Prov. 17:22

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God!-  Psalm 42:5

Fight the good fight by not letting negative thoughts have free rein to run unchecked in your brain!   Make it a moment-by-moment decision to find things to thank God for.

Research has proven that thankfulness can lower blood pressure, curb your appetite, increase focus and many other amazing benefits!

One super important benefit it has relates directly to our children!  Children usually misbehave when they are discouraged. We sometimes forget that our children can become discouraged even in their short lived lives.  We can feed their hearts good medicine by showing them our thankfulness in the situations they see us dealing with.  Speak out frequent statements of thankfulness so your child can hear you!

Sit down at the table for dinner each night and have each person share 3 things they are thankful for.  This is something you can do every night and not just on Thanksgiving!

Practice thanking your child for specific behavior that you want to reinforce.  Try something like this…”I am so thankful that you are putting your shoes on and getting ready for school!”  rather than just saying, “Good job!”

Children are sponges that absorb everything around them for the better or worse!

This season, soak your child in thankfulness and teach them how to be thankful by being what you desire to see happen in them!  You will give them a life gift that will see them through the difficult things ahead of them!

I am thankful for each and every one of you and that you are at Prince of Peace School