Life is not always easy. Sometimes things are thrown your way that you can’t control. In the midst of struggle and hard time, you have a choice to make. Do I let this thing take me captive and pull me under, or do I lift my head above water and look for the Sun?
When things suck, we all have a tendency to want to sit in it and feel sorry for ourselves, but there is a better way. When diagnosed with Breast Cancer this year, I didn’t ask, “why me?” I didn’t shake my fist at the universe and my God. Rather, I thought, ‘why not me? What makes me exempt from the troubles of this world?’ . And while I had times of fear (which is Normal) and lots of physical pain, I chose a posture of thanksgiving instead, and trusted God no matter what was next.
One of my favorite songs is by United Hillsong, called Oceans. (My favorite version linked below)
She sings, “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior.”
No matter what you are facing: financial problems, health issues, a loss of any kind- it is up to you to find the good. Now, I am a believer that if you need to cry, let it out! It is the body releasing toxins. But don’t stay there. Gratitude is important for our well being.
Below are some pictures of my recent trip to Cabo San Lucas. My husband took me after we got through all the cancer and surgeries.
Three ways you can make Gratitude a regular practice
- Journal what you are thankful for in the morning. You don’t have to be thankful for the thing that is hurting you. But you can find something to be thankful for in spite of your situation. Like when I was dealing with the reconstruction portion of my surgeries this year, I focused on being thankful that other women paved the way and fought for this to be possible, or thankful for family and friends that helped out. You get the idea. You can find something every day to write down.
- Grab a piece of paper and list out on the left side the things that are discouraging you and then draw a line down the middle. On the right side, list the truths that can change the way you see your situations, and the intentions you have for things to get better. Be encouraging! We can be so mean to ourselves sometimes.
- At the end of every day- either in the car or with loved ones – say out loud what you are grateful for -for that day. Say the things that went right and all the things you got done. This is super helpful since I pack so many things in my calendar. I am always thinking I can get more done in a day than humanly possible. But reviewing my day out loud and saying what went well, is a major boost in my mood and helps me to enter into a peaceful state.
YOU have to BE THE SUNSHINE! Don’t wait till you FEEL like it. Your feelings are fleeting and up and down. Gratitude actually centers your “feelings” to come along and join you in truth. The truth is you are here for a reason. You have breath in your lungs. Every day is a gift from God. How will you choose to see life? Who needs to hear your story of survival? Who needs your light to shine on them?
Life is full of storms. BE THE SUNSHINE!
P.S. My favorite version of the song mentioned above is KB Crowns & Thorns Oceans. It is so good!
Be the first to comment