Hello and welcome back! Each week, when writing this blog, I don’t usually know what I’m going to write about when the week starts, but at some point it becomes clear to me what I should write about that could possibly help someone else. This week, I ran across this verse, James 1:4 it says.....Let perseverance finish it's work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I've read that verse many times during my life. This time when I read it, it stood out to me. Perseverance, is what it takes to live a fulfilled life in my opinion. I think a fulfilled life is one where we live out the plan set out before us. Each of us has difficult paths along the way. Days when it seems we can't keep going, or don't want to keep going. Things seem too hard. These difficult journeys for some can last a short time, or sometimes a lifetime. In the case of those living with Muscular Dystrophy, it's often a lifetime journey of physical difficulty. So it takes perseverance, which in it's very definition means persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Staying the course, so that you may be complete, not lacking in anything.
For so long I viewed my journey as an ugly one, riddled with constant frustration, and wishing to be someone else. I prayed with seemingly no answers. For years and years. I went through a period of my life where I stopped praying. What was the point? There were no answers, no cures, no medicine, no one to help. Just door after door slammed in my face. Pain, frustration, anger, sadness, were all a part of my daily life. Sometimes, I look back and I get upset about the time I wasted feeling sorry for myself. However, I know that is how my story was to go.
If I never viewed my story as ugly, how could I tell the story of the beauty that has emerged from me sharing my journey? If my journey was always full of beauty and no sadness or hardship, how could I share the story of how viewing life through a different lens changes everything? That changing the mind from constantly dwelling on negativity and things out of my control to change, to striving to be grateful for life, even the hard stuff.
Of course this isn't a possibility 100% of the time. I still have those low moments when I just want things to be different, easier. However, my default setting is now one where I can more easily get out of that space. I used to be so annoyed when I would hear someone say gratitude changes everything. You may even be annoyed by this post. It really is that simple though.
When you are able to do this, then you have time to focus on finding your purpose, using your gifts, which allows you to accomplish your mission. You will start to move toward being complete and not lacking in anything when you are able to do this. Being comfortable in your own skin. It gives you a confidence that can't be found in the opinions of others. You don't need anyone's permission to live out your purpose. It doesn't matter if everyone doesn't click with your vision for your life. We should respect those who are different from us. That's what makes the world go round. Our differences.
Taking this road isn't always easy, and some days just not possible. Being on the journey of viewing everything as negative isn't easy either. Practicing gratitude is going to provide you with far more joy. So if both are hard, why not choose the one that has the potential to bring joy to your life? It takes humble courage and perseverance to practice gratitude in the midst of struggle. I like the feeling of feeling joy, and not just anger and frustration.
Choosing this doesn't mean we aren't ever going to feel sadness or pain. That used to be a big hurdle for me. I would think, this happiness or joy I am feeling is so temporary, it doesn't last long before the next tough or sad thing comes along and takes me right back down. That may still be true. However, in choosing gratitude, I've come to realize that sadness and joy can coexist alongside of each other. That is what this new journey has taught me. I don't have to wait for my joy to be ripped away, it can stay along with the tough times. There is hope, always hope.
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