The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for many, it can feel painfully hollow. The festive decorations, cheerful music, and laughter of others can highlight what’s missing in your own life—a loved one who isn’t there, a relationship that’s fractured, or a dream that remains unfulfilled. Instead of joy, there’s a deep ache that whispers, “Everyone else is happy except me.”

If that’s you, know this: you are not alone.

The Bible is full of people who faced that “hollow” seasons of life. Take David, for example. His psalms are a raw mix of lament and praise. In Psalm 42, he writes, “My tears have been my food day and night… Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” David knew what it felt like to live in the tension of longing for God’s joy while experiencing deep sorrow. Yet even in his pain, he declared, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.”

This is the power of gratitude in the hard seasons. It doesn’t erase the pain or deny the struggle. Instead, it shifts our focus from what’s missing to the One who remains faithful. When we choose to give thanks—not for the pain, but in the midst of it—we open our hearts to God’s presence. And His presence changes everything.

You might be wondering, How can I possibly give thanks when everything feels so broken? Start small. Gratitude doesn’t have to be loud or elaborate. It can be as simple as whispering, “Thank You, God, for carrying me through today.” Or noticing the beauty of a sunrise, the warmth of a cup of coffee, or the kindness of a friend. These small acts of gratitude build a bridge between the hollow places in your heart and the fullness of God’s love.

Jesus understands the hollowness of brokenness better than anyone. He left the glory of heaven to walk this earth, experiencing rejection, loss, and suffering. He wept at Lazarus’s tomb, even though He knew He was about to raise him from the dead. He felt the weight of abandonment on the cross. Yet He gave thanks, even on the night He was betrayed, breaking bread and pouring out wine as reminders of the sacrifice He was about to make.

This holiday season, you may not feel like celebrating. That’s okay. God doesn’t ask for perfect joy or forced smiles. He simply invites you to come as you are—to bring Him your emptiness, your pain, and your questions. In return, He promises to fill you with His peace, the kind that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

Your holidays may not look the way you hoped. They may still feel hollow in some ways. But as you make space for gratitude, even in the smallest moments, you’ll find that God’s love fills the emptiness with hope. And hope is the light that guides us through the darkest seasons.

You are not alone. And you are deeply loved.