Thanksgiving Is About More Than the Food

Thanksgiving is meant to be a day of gratitude and connection…

but for many of us, it also brings pressure, anxiety, and fear of overeating.

You want to enjoy your family.

You want to focus on gratitude.

But your mind keeps drifting back to the food — again and again.

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

Many Christians who love the Lord still struggle in this area, especially during the holidays.

When I was younger, I thought about the food a lot — and I ate whatever I wanted.

I could usually lose the weight afterward, so it didn’t seem like a big deal.

But as life grew heavier…

And my struggles with overeating deepened…

Losing the weight stopped being easy.

My “control” didn’t work anymore.

I’ve learned that there is a better way.

Here are a few gentle steps that change everything:

👉 Plan and pray before you arrive.

Ask God to guide your choices. Decide what foods serve your health — and which ones don’t.

👉 Commit your food.

Commit your food plan to a trusted friend and to God.

👉 Choose people over portions, and don’t listen to the food pushers.

Decide ahead of time that connection matters more than food, and respond with a polite “No thank you” to the food pushers.

👉 Pause throughout the day. Give away unhealthy leftovers.

Breathe. Pray. Reset.

And as you do this, God meets you with strength you didn’t think you had.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

This year, you don’t have to survive Thanksgiving.

You can walk through it with peace — focusing on gratitude, connection, and the God who provides everything you need.

Let Him be your portion.