I absolutely LOVE this time of year, don't you? It's a great time for us to STOP the routine (or the insanity, you choose) for a minute to really focus on what's important for each of us. You & I might live different lives, but chances are that we have both experienced STRESS at some time or another.
This is not to take the stress lightly but rather to help us to re-direct that STRESS and focus on the BLESSINGS. Truly, it would be easy to sit in the pits (as Beth Moore would say) and let the stress smother us, but (I love that word…BUT!) you and I are called to be a "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14 NIV).
What better time than NOW, still close to the beginning of a NEW YEAR to decide that we are 2 BLESSED 2 B STRESSED! Think about it…we might not be able to control what's going on around us, but (there's that word again) we CAN choose how we look at it. If we choose the BLESSING instead of the stress, then we are taking that FIRST STEP towards freedom!
I'm not saying it will make everything instantly better, believe me, I wish it would. The reality is it takes time…but time is what each of us has. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, the same 7 days in a week, and the same 365 days in a year. What makes it different is that TODAY is the day we choose to believe that we are 2 BLESSED 2 B STRESSED and from this day forward we will lean on the words in Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) ~ Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Break out that journal you've been meaning to use (someday) and start writing down the ways that you are blessed. I'm sure you will be surprised to see the multitude of blessings in your life already when you start to put them on paper.
Here's my prayer for you as you start your journey of being 2 BLESSED 2 B STRESSED;
Psalm 115:15 (NIV) ~May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Photo Credit – Flickr by eric_beyeler
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Thanks for this post! It's a continuation of a conversation God's been having with me lately on this topic
Right on the money, thank you.
Elisa,
I love when God does that!!! He always seems to be right where you need Him the most gently guiding us back in His direction! Thanks so much for your comment, I hope to see you around here more.
Take Care,
Melissa
what a beautiful post! I started a daily gratitude journal and just love it.