I once read an example of how we stress about our struggles instead of tasting the sweet blessings that are within us or around us. Many of us are this way and will tell the world why we are hurting instead of speaking of how great our lives can be while we are on this earth.
It seems that the world wants to hear our problems instead of hearing about the good things that are all around us and happening in our lives. Even the slightest of annoyances will take precedent over our joys. No one wants to hear how good you are doing even though they will say to you, “How are you?”.
The short clip I read stated that a person gave each of her girls a rock and a sucker. She asked them to put the rock in their shoe and the sweet sucker in their mouth. They were asked to walk down the road, turn around and come back. As they returned, they were grumbling, limping, and staggering around because the rock made them extremely uncomfortable.
The girls sat down with the adult, and she ask them about their walk. Each one spoke of how hard it was to walk with the rock in their shoe and not one of them mentioned how sweet and good the sucker was they had in their mouth. Doesn’t this sound a lot like most of us as we travel this road of life?
Author Corteny Welch once wrote, “We often fail to realize God’s blessings because we put too much focus on the struggles of life.” Yes, all of us are struggling with something in our daily ventures. All of us have something to talk about how things could be better for us, but many of us fail to mention how great our God is to us. Our attitudes seem to focus on what hurts us instead of the beautiful things and good God has given to us to enjoy.
I, just as you, have gotten rocks in my shoes before and they are very uncomfortable when walking, running, or just standing. When this happens, we will take time to take our shoe off and remove the rock. Once we do this our life goes back to normal and we can experience the sweetness of Gods earth and the freshness of the air He gives us to breath, just like when the hurt in our lives is gone our attitude toward life and others will be so much better.
This world would be a much better place if we would not dwell on our troubles. Everyone has them and if need be, ask for help. Do not carry them around with you and tell everyone about them. Seek God’s help in finding a solution for them. He will answer and help you if you trust in Him and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.
I have a friend in the construction business, and we attend the same church. In the many years that I have known him and talked with him I have always noticed that his attitude is good, and he seems to bring out the best in people. When you ask him how he is doing his answer is always, “Just another day in Paradise.” His answer is coming with a smile, and it enlightens me to see him because he is focused on good times instead of the bad. Our day depends on our attitude and how we are going to accept the problems or delights that come our way. It does not matter what happens to us because we know that God is with us, and He will guide us and strengthen us through whatever comes our way. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Put your faith and hope in God and do not rely on the world to save you. Only Jesus can do that!
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for being my guiding light. I pray that I will always look to you for help instead of looking to the world. Amen.
