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By Trishia Van Orden

There are many times in my life when I’ve found it hard to smile. It seemed as if everything was going wrong and I couldn’t get my footing. It got so bad that whenever someone asked me how I was doing, I would respond “Well it is raining, and when it rains it pours, then it floods, but I have been told that flowers come after rain. I just haven’t seen any yet.” While I remained hopeful for easier times, I neglected to see all that God has given me. And in all honesty, I felt that the wonderful blessings I had were part of the burden I was bearing. 

In life we all face challenges. Our parents face them, we face them, and even our children endure tough circumstances. During these moments it seems impossible to find a bright side, but it is there. Our Heavenly Parents love each of Their children and want us to succeed in life. But how should we interpret success? Are we rich with a huge house, three fancy cars, and no trials? Of course not. We came to this earth to become more like our Heavenly Parents, not the world. We came to Earth to gain a knowledge of good and evil, happiness and sadness, light and dark, but we cannot gain this knowledge if everything is served to us on a silver platter. 

How Can Our Families Face Difficult Trials Head-on? 

With faith and gratitude! 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God.” Gratitude has a healing power that can reach the heavens. When we are grateful for what God has given us we put our trust in Him and take that step forward. President Uchtdorf goes on to say that “True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.”

What is Gratitude and How Can I Teach My Children to Express Gratitude?

Gratitude is the act of being thankful. In being grateful, we are thanking God for all He has given, done, and provided for us. This includes temporal and spiritual things as well as those vital lessons we learn from trials, and moments of happiness. 

Being grateful can be hard sometimes, especially when there are a lot of negative voices around us, but all it takes is one step. (Usually, this is a step away from social media.) Take that step forward and name one thing you are thankful for. Ask yourself why you are grateful for it. Why is this thing or experience important to you? 

A Simple, Highly Effective Gratitude Activity to Do With Your Family 

Compile a list of questions that will help you identify things you are grateful for. There are so many things that you can ask that will get the conversations moving. For example, you could ask:

  • What is one difficult thing you have faced that you learned something from?
  • What was the best part of your day?
  • What made you smile today? 
  • What is your favorite pastime?
  • Who is your best friend? Why?
  • Name someone who has helped you through a difficult time. 

Gather the family together and sit in a circle. Once everyone is seated and the questions are prepared in a hat or bowl, take turns passing around the bowl and answering questions. If you or your child is not sure about an answer, reword the question. The point of the activity is to find small things in life that you are grateful for. 

Are you looking for more great activities or discussion questions that will teach gratitude or empathy? How about respect, friendship, and positive self-talk? Check out our book 30 Days To A Stronger Child

Trishia Van Orden has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She has a love for psychology and hopes to one day open a Family Life Education Center where she lives. She is currently writing for Educate & Empower Kids and working as a volunteer in a girl’s youth program. She is a wife and a mother of three beautiful girls.

 

Resources: 

Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Grateful in Any Circumstances.” Church of Jesus Christ, April 2014, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng. Accessed 17 November 2021.

 

Cherish Each Day

“No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.”

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

An Important Tool for Your Family

Teach your kids how to recognize and keep the Holy Ghost in their lives. This is the single most important skill they can have as they face challenges throughout their lives. Charmingly illustrated, This is the Spirit of Revelation is a wonderful, simple tool that makes it easy for you to teach your kids how to hear and understand when the Spirit is communicating to them.

 

 
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