I certainly wasn't feeling joyful when my husband died or when my brother was murdered.
My friend, Sharon, wasn't feeling joyful when her son committed suicide.
Matt wasn't feeling joyful when he lost his job or when his family lost their home because they could no longer pay their mortgage.
My son, Nick, wasn't feeling very joyful when he was suffering with cold and allergy symptoms last week.
My office has received almost 500 prayer requests so far today from women who aren't feeling very joyful about their husband turning from the Lord, abusing them, or leaving them for another woman; or their child's drug addiction or chronic illness.
Sometimes it is hard to find the joy in every circumstance. This past Sunday during The Truth Project Sunday School time we talked about looking at different types of "work" as a blessing rather than as a burden. (Ask Paula to tell you about her "complaining" bracelet.)
We may not like doing yard work or laundry but, shouldn't we be grateful that we have a home and a yard and that we have clothes on our back. It is easy to complain about heading to work on Monday morning but, shouldn't we be grateful that we have a job when so many are out of work?
So... I'm going to make more of an effort to change my attitude to an attitude of gratitude and find something to be thankful for in every circumstance. This won't always be easy but I think that once we start looking for the good in every situation, it will become more natural for us to recognize it!
I read a quote when I was in high school and it has stuck with me (let's not go into how many years it has been)...
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,
or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."
Oh... and I am certainly thankful that Nick no longer has a cold. Men of every age sure can act like babies when they get sick :)
Can you put an positive spin on a not-so-great situation? Let's share the joy and see if an attitude of gratitude can become contagious!
Blessings,
LeAnn
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