I admit that sometimes finding gratitude is an intellectual and not a heartfelt effort.
I'm having such emotional pain about something that even the glad game feels futile. Even when I drum up that list of things to be glad about, I feel little sincerity. I think it's part of mourning sometimes to feel like what you have isn't right or enough.
The good part about days like today is that I have hope for tomorrow, or next year, or the next life. I know the glad game will work again after I've had my cry. I've had enough moments of despair to know that the sun does rise again on a fresh new opportunity to be okay. It warms my back and reminds me that, really, things are very wonderful.
I forgive myself for having a sad day, for bawling through this post, for forgetting the depth and magnitude of my blessings while I weep. Things will get better.
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
"But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
I am grateful for trials. Many of my prayers have been answered through trials--for patience, faith, strength, capacity, ability, empathy, kindness.
I want to remember the pain of this life. It is beautiful because it is the bitter contrast for all the good ahead. Trials and pain are kindnesses to us so we can understand exultant joy when it comes. I hope I don't look back on my life and find that I grumbled all the while and missed the gifts and beauty that God gave me in the form of difficulty and hard times.
I rejoice that moments of searing pain provide the contrast for the endless bliss that is to come.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:16-18)
"While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May and Love It," October 2008).
Everything God gives us is a good thing. I know the heartache I feel is not unique to just me and that we all struggle, but I'm willing to write about it. I hope you know your tears will be returned with rejoicing and gratitude, because they surely will.
I'm having such emotional pain about something that even the glad game feels futile. Even when I drum up that list of things to be glad about, I feel little sincerity. I think it's part of mourning sometimes to feel like what you have isn't right or enough.
The good part about days like today is that I have hope for tomorrow, or next year, or the next life. I know the glad game will work again after I've had my cry. I've had enough moments of despair to know that the sun does rise again on a fresh new opportunity to be okay. It warms my back and reminds me that, really, things are very wonderful.
I forgive myself for having a sad day, for bawling through this post, for forgetting the depth and magnitude of my blessings while I weep. Things will get better.
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
"But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
I am grateful for trials. Many of my prayers have been answered through trials--for patience, faith, strength, capacity, ability, empathy, kindness.
I want to remember the pain of this life. It is beautiful because it is the bitter contrast for all the good ahead. Trials and pain are kindnesses to us so we can understand exultant joy when it comes. I hope I don't look back on my life and find that I grumbled all the while and missed the gifts and beauty that God gave me in the form of difficulty and hard times.
I rejoice that moments of searing pain provide the contrast for the endless bliss that is to come.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:16-18)
"While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May and Love It," October 2008).
Everything God gives us is a good thing. I know the heartache I feel is not unique to just me and that we all struggle, but I'm willing to write about it. I hope you know your tears will be returned with rejoicing and gratitude, because they surely will.
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