Hi Friends,

 

Anyone feeling a little uptight about Thanksgiving? The holiday is still ten days away, yet many of us are already holding our breath and feeling tension in our necks. Maybe you are worried about arguments over politics or a family member who dislikes anything related to God. You might be hoping certain relatives will not show up because their choices have hurt or angered you.

 

All of this is real. Some of this deserves honest grief. At the same time, I believe God wants to bless you this Thanksgiving regardless of what is happening in your family or in our world.

 

In last week's Happy Monday, we talked about why we need this holiday season   more than ever. In this challenging season of human history, we need special, set-apart days to reminder of God's provision, love, and goodness to us over the past year. 

 

But, the key to enjoying the blessings of Thanksgiving and Christmas for us to take time now to prepare our words and attitudes as carefully as we're preparing our meals. want to help you do this with biblical wisdom, lots of encouragement and practical help.

 

 

Here is familiar wisdom from Proverbs 3:5:

 

 

Of course, we want Thanksgiving to be lovely. We want the food to taste good and for everyone to get along. When someone says something rude or voices start rising, before you act, pause and pray. Prayer is action! Prayer invites God to help you. When you pray, you bring God into the situation, and His Spirit guides you from panic to peace and from impulsive words to intentional responses. Sometimes He even gives supernatural insight or influence, but we must pause and pray in order to receive it.

 

If you need words to pray, here is one you can *screenshot* and keep:

 

 

 

No one likes being wrong, so it is natural to fight to be right. This is especially true with political or theological conversations. Maybe you are secretly hoping for a chance to correct someone about a meme or opinion they posted on social media earlier this year. Lean in and focus on the following proverb - especially if you like to debate or your temper flashes quickly: 

 

 

Here's a sad reflection: How many times have we been right about an issue but damaged the relationship with the person? Yes, someone may push our buttons, but we can also push buttons right back. Let's consider some God-honoring options:

 

Option 1: Get Curious
This requires spiritual maturity and emotional intelligence. Try asking, "Tell me more." Hearing more about something you strongly disagree with may feel uncomfortable, but the bigger goal is connection. Curiosity often reveals more about the person than the topic, and it shows them they matter.

 

Option 2: Say "You may be right."
I learned this in a family member addiction support group. “You maybe right” is a neutral phrase that acknowledges someone's viewpoint without agreeing with them. It keeps conversations calm and allows space for respect. Also you can say this and then remove yourself from the conversation or change the topic.

 

Many of us know Proverbs 4:23, but here it is:

 

 

This verse also applies to Thanksgiving. I want to focus on a fresh application to this verse. Here it is: Protect your heart from unreasonable expectations.

 

You know your family. You already know who will be argumentative, who will not help with cleanup, and who may not show up at all. Make a simple list of the people coming and the quirks you already expect. This is reality. You set yourself up for heartache when you hope that this year will suddenly be different even though nothing has changed.

 

Protect your heart by releasing unrealistic expectations.

 

Practical Application:
Repeat this with me: I am not in control of others or outcomes.

 

This is Surrendered Principle #1 from my Surrendered Bible study. It is hard to let go, but surrender is the only path to experiencing God’s peace. You may cling to a picture-perfect Thanksgiving, but God invites you to surrender so He can give you peace. If letting go is hard, you may find the Surrendered Bible study helpful for this season.

 

Here are additional Proverbs you may want to meditate on as you prepare for the holiday: Proverbs 4:24, 10:12, 10:19, 10:21, 16:24.

 

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU:  If this Happy Monday was helpful, reply and tell me which proverb encouraged you today. I'd also love to know how you're praying for God to prepare your heart. 

Do you get distracted when you pray? Would you like to be more intentional about praying for family and friends? Download my FREE prayer board kit below! This prayer board kit is a great way for you to add a visual and creative element to your practice of prayer.

Does your faith feel fragile, distant, or broken? You’re not alone. In this episode, Jason Hague and Catherine McNeil, authors of the,Mid-Faith Crisis, share how a scary crisis of faith can actually be the doorway to a deeper, more resilient walk with God.

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