In the hymn, The Lord Is My Shepherd, I have always loved this line from the third verse:

“In the midst of affliction, my table is spread.”

The idea of going through a hard time, but being very aware at the same time how many things are going right, has always sustained me.

I was so affected by President Nelson’s talk on The Healing Power of Gratitude.

He said,

“Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription,” Nelson said. “Does gratitude spare us from sorrow, sadness, grief, and pain? No, but it does soothe our feelings.

From a review of a book called The Thankful Heart by Linda and Richard Eyre:

“One Thanksgiving Linda got out a roll of calculator paper and the whole family listed items that they were thankful for. The next year they managed to list over 600 items.”

“It makes you stop and think. Obviously things like “freedom” and “parents” were listed, but the kids expanded it to items like “doorknobs”. And when it comes down to it, doorknobs are important…how would one open a door without one?”

As we look over our spread tables this Thanksgiving, to the people we love, let us try to focus on what is going right and give thanks. I believe in President Nelson’s conviction that we are healed when we are grateful.