Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Counseling Blog

November 2025

cultivating hearts of thanks and gratitude

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Is it really November if we don’t discuss thankfulness?! This month naturally invites us to reflect on gratitude as we are surrounded by reminders of Thanksgiving. Families often pause to count their blessings around the dinner table filled with turkey and stuffing, but gratitude is so much more than a seasonal activity—it is a spiritual discipline and a life-giving habit that God calls us to cultivate daily. Did you know that practicing daily gratitude can have a significant positive impact on mental health? In a world of comparison, FOMO (fear of missing out), and constant pressure from social media, our children are bombarded with messages that they are not enough, do not have enough, or are missing out on something better. Gratitude shifts this narrative—it anchors our hearts not in what we lack, but in the abundant grace of God.

Gratitude as a Response to God’s Grace

At its core, gratitude begins with remembering who God is and what He has done. Scripture reminds us often to give thanks to God for the amazing blessings and grace that He has provided to us.

• Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
• Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

When we encourage our children to give thanks, we’re not just building good manners—we’re pointing them toward God’s character and faithfulness. Gratitude teaches them to see life as a gift, and to recognize that everything they have—big and small—flows from His hand.

The Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude

Beyond being a biblical command, gratitude is also a powerful tool for emotional and mental well-being. Psychological research has consistently shown that practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep and overall physical health, increase resilience when facing stress and adversity, and boost overall life satisfaction. For children and teens especially, gratitude can act as a coping skill. When they focus on what they have, rather than what they’re missing, it reframes their perspective. Instead of being swept up in comparison or disappointment, gratitude fosters contentment and joy.

One study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that young people who practiced gratitude regularly experienced higher levels of happiness and optimism. Another study highlighted how gratitude shifts the brain toward positive thinking, making it easier to cope with challenges. As we all know, our children face a multitude of difficulties in a variety of settings, so practicing gratitude is a real-time strategy to help them navigate the hardships that life will surely throw at them!

Helping Your Child Develop a Grateful Heart

As parents and caregivers, we all play a central role in shaping our children’s outlook. Here are some practical ways to cultivate gratitude at home:

1. Model Thankfulness Daily

Let your children hear you thank God in prayer and thank others in daily life. When things go wrong, choose words of gratitude (“I’m thankful God is with us in this challenge”) rather than words of complaint.

2. Start a Gratitude Practice

Encourage your child to keep a simple gratitude journal. Before bed, have them write (or say aloud) three things they are thankful for that day. Over time, this builds a habit of noticing blessings.

3. Use Scripture as a Guide

Choose verses that remind us to bring everything to God with thanksgiving, and display them in your home. Let God’s Word shape how your family views gratitude as more than a feeling—it’s a spiritual practice. For example, Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

4. Counter Social Media Comparison

When your child feels left out or compares themselves to peers online, gently guide them to shift their perspective. This not only breaks the cycle of comparison, but equips them with a biblical perspective to resist FOMO. Questions you can use to reframe their thinking include:

• What are the blessings in your life right now?
• How has God been faithful to you this week?
• What opportunity do you have today that others may not?

5. Practice Gratitude in Adversity

Remind your child that Scripture calls us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending life is perfect—it means trusting that God is present, even in hardship, and choosing to see His hand at work.

A Season—and Life—of Thankfulness

As we move through the month of November, let’s lead our children in making gratitude more than a once-a-year practice. Instead, let’s teach them that gratitude is a way of life rooted in God’s grace, sustained by His Word, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. By cultivating thankful hearts, our children can stand resilient against comparison and walk with joy even in difficulty. May this month be a reminder that gratitude is not just a holiday theme, but a Christ-centered practice that shapes our children’s hearts for a lifetime. We are so grateful to be a part of a community that emphasizes the importance of gratitude for God’s gifts, and for one another as a part of our Dunham family!