guest post by Grace M. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17, NKJV). Wow. I am utterly horrible at remembering this verse. In fact, I’m extremely skilled at forgetting this verse. When something goes wrong, I automatically focus on that and forget the millions of things that have gone right. For instance, when the internet connection on my laptop starts slowing down, I immediately start complaining and worrying about it instead of being thankful that I even have a computer and internet access. And somehow, when I do my devotions, I can’t even think of ten things to be thankful for. However, I can easily think of ten things to complain about. Lately, I’ve been feeling discouraged because of a particular trial I am enduring. I feel like I will be stuck here forever and that things will never get better. My selfish and negative mind doesn’t want to remember the good things God has given me. But, in reality, I am healthy, safe, and loved. Those are incredibly important things! And, if I’m being completely honest, I must admit that I’m also upset by my blog’s lack of views. Though I’ve been blogging for eighteen months, I still feel like I have a low number of viewers. As I look at other blogs and see the high numbers of followers and comments on them, I become discouraged and annoyed. How come my blog doesn’t have fifty followers or twenty comments on each post? My selfish and negative mind doesn’t want to remember that this blog costs me nothing, has increased in views since I began, and provides a way for me to share my heart and encourage other believers through something I enjoy. This opportunity is a good gift from above. Yes, I am frustrated, confused, and discouraged; but I am not forgotten by my God. If I was supposed to be delivered from my trials right now, I would be; and if I was supposed to have 100 views on my latest blog post, I would have them. Right now, I simply have to count the good and perfect gifts that God has given me. I admit that I often wallow in self-pity and think, Why me? Why do I have to go through this? Why won’t this go away? I won’t know until I get to heaven, but I cannot drown in self-pity. Maybe I’m feeling discouraged so I can encourage you and remind you that you’re not alone. The chance to share with you is a gift to me from God, and I hope it’s a gift to you from God as well. I know that being thankful isn’t easy—especially when you don’t get the lead part in the school play, when you struggle to understand your schoolwork, when you dent your new car, when you watch your best friend move away, or when you get diagnosed with a serious disease. But God has given you so many good gifts. Choose ten (of the million) gifts that He gives you each day, and thank Him for them. Your situation might just start to look a little brighter. Grace is a writer, baker, piano-player, and sunset-lover. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball, and eating sour gummy worms.
She blogs at Tizzie's Tidbits: Where Tizzie and The Truth Collide
4 Comments
Karissa
5/10/2017 10:37:55 am
What a wonderful post Grace! Such a great reminder. Thank you for allowing me to share this! :)
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5/25/2017 05:55:44 am
Great post, Grace! I know exactly what you mean when you say you can't find 10 things to be thankful for but you can find 10 things to complain about. God has given me so many good gifts! I just need to look for them. :)
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about the authorAs a 21 year old aspiring teacher, Karissa loves to write, travel, play piano, and read. Many creative things have her heart. archives
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