I've found myself moaning and groaning about certain aspects of my life that are causing me to go through much turmoil. I have stared in the face of adversity and quaked in my boots. I have allowed life's circumstances to dictate my thoughts and my actions. I have ceased to remain proactive, and rather, have found myself being reactive.
My grandson was hurt in a freak accident and wears a complete body cast. My husband has been unemployed. We didn't have enough money to pay our bills. Creditors have called. I struggle with marketing and promotion of my recently released book, Guardian. My work on my work-in-progress is languishing.
I could have been and have been glum and morose. I have allowed the circumstances of life overtake my mind and emotions.
Shame on me!
It has been during a time of prayer and reflection that I saw what I was doing. I began to see that I had so much more to be thankful for than the negative I was focusing on.
Even though it means he is going to be gone during weekdays and evenings, my husband now has a new job. My grandson has gotten used to his cast and is lively and happy (to a certain extent) once again. Our creditors have made deals with us that we can afford. National politics are a disaster.
But more than that, I can see where my pessimism and reactionary words and actions have actually contributed as much or if not more than the stress I have been experiencing!
"Wake up, o my soul, and hope thou in God," the psalmist cries. Why? Because in hope there is a chance at resolution. At hope, we see where we've overcome in the past and have hope for the future. Who else but God can give substance to our hope? It is in hope that I find reassurance and salvation for my thoughts, my dreams.
It is hope that has caused me to become proactive once more, and hope that has caused me to slough off the thoughts and emotions that are not productive, but rather were bent on destroying my optimism about the future.
I have a hope for a better future for me. I have a hope for a better future for my family. And, yes, I even have hope of a better future for our nation--a hope that supersedes what I see physically with my eyes and hear with my ears. "Hope thou in God for He is yet the strength of thy countenance."
What about you? Are you reaction, or proactive? What place does hope have in your life?
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8 comments:
Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us Katie. We've all been there, but I'm glad you didn't stay there.
God ALWAYS comes through for me. His timing is not always my timing. I've moaned and groaned too. But when I put my troubles in His hands I feel His love and mercy. All I want to do at that point is thank Him and praise Him!
Good for you, Katie. Sometimes it's easy to let life get us down. My husband has so many health problems that I get depressed from time to time. Then I turn to God and put everything in His hands. My hope is in Him. God is awesome and he carries me through each new trial, reminding me of my blessings, as He gives me one of His miracles.
Thanks for a lovely post.
Bev
I wish I could say I never get down. But I think God works best during those moments. At least it feels as if I grow more after a pity party than any other time. God Bless you, Katie.
The down feelings can suck you under if you allow them to do so. I've been there. The worst part is overcoming what you created during the reactionary times... OUCH!
Better to understand that even the down-times have an UPSIDE. Then you can react differently and change the outcome. I've learned to become outcome based rather than downtime controlled.
Praise the Lord, for there is good in ALL things.
You've been through a lot and come out brilliantly. When things like this happen I try to remember "when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade." Doesn't always work, but I try. And times like these give good fodder to our writing.
A beautiful post, Katie. We can't always choose the events in our lives, but we can decide how to react to them. I try to remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow my faith. The worst times in my life have ultimately brought me great benefits. Day by day, I am learning how to trust, let go and let God.
Thanks for sharing your trials and revelations.
Warmly,
Lisabet
Katie, thank you for sharing about your life. I'm so happy that your husband has a new job. That must be a relief for you both. It's wonderful to know that your grandson is adjusting to life in a full body cast. Perhaps there is a book waiting to be written?
My faith has been tested many times. When I think I can do something on my own, the stress, sadness, loneliness, etc. just seems to multiple out of control. When I turn everything over to God and lean on him, a brighter, clearer outlook comes to view.
They say that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I do believe that, although I sometimes wonder why he thinks I can handle so much!
In school last week, my son had to write down as many thins as he could that he was thankful for. They were only give a few minutes. In that time period he said he listed 23. I'm glad to know that he feels so thankful about things.
This made me think of a church service we had quite some time ago. Each day, for 30 days, we were to list three things we were thankful for. It really made an impact by the end of the month. There are so many little things that we need to be thankful for that we sometimes take for granted. I think I need to start a list again of what I'm thankful for.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
At our darkest moments when we feel there is no more hope God intervenes. I'm thrilled to hear things are on the upswing.
Warm regards,
Donna
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