Seasons come and go. We all know this, but it's harder to remember that when we're in the throws of an especially tough one. Last year was an especially tough one for me.
There were a lot of changes that went down. If you know me at all, then you know that change and I do not necessarily get along very well. Oddly enough, I myself had forgotten this, and I let those changes effect me in negative ways.
Fast forward to November, I finally realized that I needed to get my act together. No more letting a little friction in a relationship get me down for the whole day/multiple days. No more thinking poorly of circumstances that I couldn't change yet had to live with. No more complaining, bad attitude, or long-term frustration.
No more.
This year I began a thankfulness journal. I'm only a month in, yet the effect of such a practice has been, in short, reclaiming joy. Now whenever friction arises between me and another, I thank Him for the way in which resolution was reached and/or the love that was expressed through working out a problem with others. Other times, I thank Him for family, church members, my dear sweet husband, cheesecake, a new-to-my-family car, gorgeous weather, etc.
Everywhere I look there are things in abundance for which to be thankful. The result has been an improved mood, joy inexpressible, and the ultimate sense that God is weaving together from the faded threads of my life a beautiful tapestry that displays the furtherance of His kingdom here on earth. I love life again, and I have less shame to grapple with.
I feel as though I'm able to learn and grow again. My daily devotions have a renewed life about them. The Lord has been showing me His faithfulness and goodness, even in the hard seasons of life. He is showing me that it's pointless to try to fix my life/mood/reactions myself, and that it is worth everything to entrust them to Jesus' safe keeping. I'm no longer anxious, angry, or frustrated. I have joy and peace.
Today is the final day of January. I did not begin my journal til the second week of the month, but I tried to add to it on an almost daily basis. Already I have accumulated 45 things in the month of January for which I could praise the Lord; 45 things in such a short span of time. I cannot wait to see how God will show Himself worthy of praise in the coming months. He is good.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
There were a lot of changes that went down. If you know me at all, then you know that change and I do not necessarily get along very well. Oddly enough, I myself had forgotten this, and I let those changes effect me in negative ways.
Fast forward to November, I finally realized that I needed to get my act together. No more letting a little friction in a relationship get me down for the whole day/multiple days. No more thinking poorly of circumstances that I couldn't change yet had to live with. No more complaining, bad attitude, or long-term frustration.
No more.
This year I began a thankfulness journal. I'm only a month in, yet the effect of such a practice has been, in short, reclaiming joy. Now whenever friction arises between me and another, I thank Him for the way in which resolution was reached and/or the love that was expressed through working out a problem with others. Other times, I thank Him for family, church members, my dear sweet husband, cheesecake, a new-to-my-family car, gorgeous weather, etc.
Everywhere I look there are things in abundance for which to be thankful. The result has been an improved mood, joy inexpressible, and the ultimate sense that God is weaving together from the faded threads of my life a beautiful tapestry that displays the furtherance of His kingdom here on earth. I love life again, and I have less shame to grapple with.
I feel as though I'm able to learn and grow again. My daily devotions have a renewed life about them. The Lord has been showing me His faithfulness and goodness, even in the hard seasons of life. He is showing me that it's pointless to try to fix my life/mood/reactions myself, and that it is worth everything to entrust them to Jesus' safe keeping. I'm no longer anxious, angry, or frustrated. I have joy and peace.
Today is the final day of January. I did not begin my journal til the second week of the month, but I tried to add to it on an almost daily basis. Already I have accumulated 45 things in the month of January for which I could praise the Lord; 45 things in such a short span of time. I cannot wait to see how God will show Himself worthy of praise in the coming months. He is good.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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