When you deal with mental illness, it can feel pretty hard to be grateful.
Symptoms, situations, and stuff can try to squash any desire we may have to be grateful. The easiest thing to do is to roll with whatever emotion bubbles to the surface.
Anger? Sure, let’s make sure everyone we meet knows how we’re feeling today.
Sadness? You bet, let’s stay in bed and cry.
Fear? Well, of course. No one can expect us to try new things when we’re feeling this way.
Boredom? Ho hum. Let’s see what’s in the fridge to snack on.
None of these emotions are wrong. As humans, we experience a vast array of emotions. (Check out Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions at sixseconds.org) They’re normal, but we can’t stay stuck in any of them. Choosing to be thankful just may get us past the negative emotions and move us closer to maturity and health.
Even without an illness like depression or anxiety, it can be hard to be grateful sometimes. When a mental illness affects someone’s life, it might feel almost impossible to be grateful.
Being grateful is a choice we have to make – whether we’re healthy or sick.
Being deliberate about giving thanks for the things we have can be part of the recovery process for those who are mentally ill, and once we’re healthy it can be one of the things that keeps us well.
Anger? Thank you, Lord, that I care enough about this person or this situation to get upset.
Sadness? Thank you, God, that my heart is tender enough to feel sad.
Fear? Thank you, Father, that you’re always with me and I don’t have to be afraid.
Boredom? Thank you, God, that you gave me a brain that can think of something to do instead of running to food when I’m not hungry.
We might need help processing the emotions we’re feeling. We might need to talk to a professional counselor about the things that are contributing to our anger, sadness, fear, and boredom.
But a good place to start is to get back to being grateful.
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9 NIV)
Are your emotions all over the place? How can focusing on God help you to be grateful, even in the midst of the negative emotions of mental illness?