Sometimes things happen that are completely outside of our control. Maybe it’s a layoff at work. Or car trouble. Or an illness. Sometimes LIFE just includes unexpected difficulty. Even in these circumstances, we know that God is in control and is able to do immeasurably more than we imagine (Ephesians 3:20, our verse from three weeks ago), but how do we respond? What do we do when we don’t feel equipped to fix the situation we’re facing?
I’ve had some time to ponder that these last few days as I’ve literally been laid out with illness. I’m getting my rest and taking my medicines and doing all the things, but I’m not ultimately in control of the timetable or journey of this illness. Acutely aware of my inability to control the situation, I turned to Scripture. Here’s the simple truth I found in Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
You’ve often heard it said “what you focus on expands.” When you look for the good in situations, you’ll find it – usually in increasing measure. And the same applies when you focus on the negative.
Often the most helpful, healing response to difficult circumstances is a cheerful heart. In fact, just pulling this communication together actually lifted my spirits. I hope it’s as encouraging to you as it was to me.
Know you are loved,
