“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
Do you sometimes feel that life is difficult and unfair? That nothing seems to be going as hoped or as planned, and that you are just barely holding on? Certainly, you do. We all do! But if you experience that feeling often, perhaps it’s time to take a minute to take a closer look and make a few changes…
Life happens. It really can be quite unpredictable, and even make us uncomfortable as we must face the unexpected—and sometimes expected-- the tougher side of being human. But nothing lasts forever. Challenging situations pop up and are hopefully eventually resolved. Relationships can become strained. People come into and go out of our lives. Sometimes we are on the winning end of things, and sometimes we are not. And when that happens, the best we may be able to do is just try to muddle through somehow, hoping for relief and a return to some form of reasonable stability or resolution.
However, with all that goes on, it is possible to find comfort, stay focused on and anchored to, what really matters most: Your faith. Faith can help us believe and revel in the fact that each and every day is a new adventure filled with opportunities to see something positive in every situation—in anything and every situation that we could possibly face. It helps us recognize that it is possible to endure great things with God’s help. And by so doing, we are able to embrace our circumstances in a new way.
Once we understand that life comes as it comes, and that oftentimes we can’t determine what happens when things are out of our control, we are far better able to try to accept that fact. And by so doing, we are far better able to successfully turn things around for the good—even if only through a new perspective in our minds.
Surely no one wants to endure hardship of any kind. But how we see things has everything to do with how we handle tough times and rise above them, thereby enhancing our comfort level, and also our belief that “all is well,” with Jesus onboard, and at our side. Perspective is everything. It can help you take a new look at what is going on, refresh your thinking, and help you cope with the situation at-hand in new ways.
Here are 7 life-giving affirmations, positive, powerful thoughts that may be helpful to focus on when while in the middle of dealing with your difficult situations:
1) I am blessed beyond measure.
2) I have nothing to fear.
3) I can learn from this experience.
4) This will make me stronger.
5) Nothing lasts forever except God’s unending Love for me.
6) God is in control.
7) Jesus is with me; I am not alone.
In closing, for believing Christians, gratitude to God in every situation is the key to coping gracefully with anything life throws our way. Actually, it’s at the core of dealing with what we endure. Being grateful to Jesus, and the feeling that we are blessed beyond measure, fuels the feeling that all is well, despite whatever challenging or upsetting situation presents itself. That in turn, can effectively change the severity of the situation and thereby equip us to deal with things with greater calm and peace. Life doesn’t have to be hard. It really doesn’t. In fact, as we embrace Jesus who is always in our corner and at the helm of our lives, we are most-prepared to live a more joyous peace-filled life, regardless of whatever life presents to us.
Life happens. But faith always prevails and helps us cope, as Jesus saving grace—His ability to save us in every circumstance-- is far greater than whatever we encounter in our daily lives.
Copyright 2023 | Adele M. Gill
The Inspiration Café Podcast & Blog with Adele
NEW PODCAST: 'An Extraordinary Miracle'
aka: 'Quadruplegic No More'
