It seems like almost everyone I know —both family AND friends—are facing huge struggles right now. Some of them are having catastrophic monetary problems, others are battling severe health issues, and the rest of them are just plain overwhelmed and exhausted from the steady onslaught of disappointments and chaos that have plagued their lives in recent months.
We all have “those times” in our lives. They can be rugged. We want so much to yell “make it stop, make it stop” and have it magically happen. But, usually, the waves of trouble just keep on coming.
When we begin to pursue recovery or any other kind of significant life change, the peaks and valleys become even more intense. One day we’re hopeful, the next day we feel like a total failure. The rapid succession of ups and downs we’re experiencing can take their toil. It’s easy to slip into depression and self-pity.
I’ve said it many times before, but I, for one, need to be reminded often that gratitude can help keep us afloat. In the midst of the turmoil, it’s often hard to recognize that we have anything to be grateful for. The struggles eclipse our vision of anything but the darkness that threatens to smother us.
It requires a very conscious effort—a deep and relentless searching— to refocus our sights on the blessings in our lives. You know . . .the times God has protected us or provided for us; the tiny moments of joy and satisfaction brought on by someone’s warm smile, gentle words, or little acts of kindness; the sheer beauty of nature that takes our breath away; or the innocent playfulness of children and animals that blesses our heart and soul.
There ARE things we can be thankful for. Suprisingly, once we force ourselves to focus on the things we are grateful for, they seem to multiply right before our eyes. When our mind is filled with them, there is little room for discontentment, dissatisfaction or disdain. It doesn’t change our circumstances, but it changes the way we view them.
It’s in our power to decide whether we will tune our eyes to see the positives or the negatives. One will bring us to a place of increasing peace, the other only fuels more angst and anger. It’s not easy to remember to consciously choose and persistently fight to notice the good things, but it will change our life for the better.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. —Colossians 4:15
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