It’s getting old. Chikagunya, that is. It’s day 10 and I really thought I would feel completely back to normal by now. But I don’t. I have pain in my hands and knees. Nothing like it used to be–but certainly not normal, either. I want it to go away. I long for normalcy again. Then it dawned on me–many of you feel the same way.
You desire…
You long for a “normal” marriage without all the bickering, arguing and unfaithfulness. You desire a child who is respectful, obedient and, can I say, tolerable. You desire to step back into time…the way things used to be…the days before hospital visits and terminable illness. You wish you could make the piles of bills disappear. Why? Because your current way of living is getting old. It doesn’t seem like living anymore.
There come times in life when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Situations where we cannot foresee it turning around. It is in these situations that we often choose despair. Throwing in the towel may appear to be the best option. However, it is when we are at the end of our rope where God does His best work. We come to a point of realization that it is not us–but God.
It is God who pulls us through and gives us strength in our weakest moments.
- First of all, you must realize that you are not alone. We all have experienced times like this. Scripture is chock full of examples. Read scripture to find hope and inspiration.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5
- Secondly, find a friend to speak encouragement to you. Loneliness is no friend of yours. I bumped into a friend yesterday while picking up a prescription and her smile and cheerfulness made my day.
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
- Find something positive in your situation. Force yourself to focus on the good. Our minds tend to drift to the negative. Put it to a stop. Thank God for all the blessings and good things in your life. Become grateful for life’s simple pleasures.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
- And finally, think about someone else other than you. How can you make someone else’s day? Share a smile. Compliment a stranger. Do something out of your ordinary. Thinking about someone else will help you to stop dwelling on yourself. Plus, you may be surprised at how good it makes you feel.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3