We aren’t all born with rose-colored glasses, the spectacles that make life look rosy by shading dark or sad moments with a hue of happiness. With these glasses, we see life differently. My father said that I was born with these special glasses on my face. In my mind, I picture the Lord holding me as a baby with His gentle, loving arms. He kisses my forehead and anoints me with His oil of joy. Then He gently lays me down into this world.
There are moments though, that the difficulties of life knock off my glasses, and I fall to my knees searching for them. Did you get that? I fall to my knees. It is only when I call out to Jesus, asking Him for His help, that I can find them. God is so gracious because I usually find them quickly. However, at other times it can be days, or maybe even weeks. So, this is when I dig deep and start looking for what is good.
When something falls, you have to get down on your hands and knees to pick up or find that which has fallen. Let’s look at this for a moment. Sometimes you can easily find what you have dropped or lost. It is right in front of you. You just need to pick it up. Well, you can pick up and take hold of the Word of God, and it will lift you up! Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” We all experience moments in our lives that are truly difficult, and we think, “How am I going to get through this?” No matter the circumstance—whether lack or plenty—finding contentment is possible if you look to God. He is always there to counsel, guide, encourage, and give you strength through His Word.
Then there are those times when you need to locate what you have lost. There is good in almost every situation, you just need to change how you look at it. Each hardship or difficulty will have its positive aspects; they are there waiting for you to recognize and discover them. But if you can’t find any, look to nature. Look at a tree and how the leaves blow in the wind, dancing before the Lord. Or the clouds, how they transform before your eyes into different shapes while the sun bursts forth its rays down to the earth. Listen to the birds chirping with delight as they sing their praises, each one having its unique song as it sings unto God. There is so much beauty all around us. Look for it in the simplest things, and you will find the good. Be in awe of the magnificent world the Lord gave us to live in.
Being content in whatever state you are in is a choice. You decide each day how you are going to live that day. No matter what comes your way, how you handle things is your choice. That’s right! You are the one who chooses. Find the good in His Word and in the world around you. Change how you look at things and watch life become more beautiful and hopeful. I love Psalm 27:13, which says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (NIV). The New King James Version says, “I would have lost heart unless I had believed.” Don’t lose heart. Remain confident that you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Look for His beauty in the world around you and choose to find the good.
Comments