I was recently returning home from a pleasant visit with my daughter and her BFF, who is away at college. The drive home was hor-ren-dous. The traffic would be cruising just under speed limit, to a slow crawl, or to a dead stop the entire way home.
There was a choice to be made. I could either choose to hurriedly maneuver my vehicle between others and possibly cause more of a traffic delay due to me getting in an accident because of my impatientness, or I could change my hurried thoughts and take this time to listen to the Christian radio station and enjoy the messages through the songs. I could even think about others and turn my thoughts into prayers.
Perspective.
Once I chose the latter, my mind wasn’t racing with anxiety nor did I find myself feeling frustrated with the flow (or lack of) traffic.
My perspective wasn’t focused on negativity, but God’s goodness.
In life, we will have obstacles, delays, and other unexpected circumstances that can interrupt our plans. (Interruptions more horrendous than my traffic returning home.) When these hindrances do occur (and they will), I want to encourage you to:
- Take a deep breath. God’s got this.
- Strive not to dwell on the delays because that is unconstructive.
- Count your blessings.
- Pray for others.
- Turn on some Christian music where you can soak up some Jesus while you wait. Dance! And remember, like the song says, God is in the waiting. Click here to hear the song.
I’m praying for you! I don’t know your struggles, but God does. You are not alone.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
I have this theory I call the “Green Bean Theory”. Please click here to read it.
Click here to read other journal entries on Perspective.