You’ve probably heard the saying “Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” Maybe you aren’t fighting a “great” battle now, but if you live long enough, you will. And no matter how strong you are, or how much faith you have, some days it’ll be hard to rise above the things that weigh you down.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to forget that it’s okay to be down. It’s okay to give Wonder Woman the day off and feel the hurt…and cry loudly…and be mad…and be sad…and see how many Twinkies you can eat at one setting. It’s really okay.
The critical factor, however, is not staying in a negative mindset too long. At some point, despite how battle-weary you are, or how bleak your situation seems, you have to pull yourself together, reaffirm your faith, and start thinking on something good.
I used to make “happy lists” of anything that brought a trace of pleasure my way. Maybe it was the unexpected ice crystals in my cold can of Diet Dr. Pepper, or how the morning dew sparkled on my neighbor’s lawn, or the smell of fresh coffee brewing at McDonald’s. Anything that lifted my spirits for a millisecond, I wrote it down. It’s called mindful living, and it’s a rewarding way to live.
Some people keep gratitude journals, and I applaud them. Even on the gloomiest of days, there are reasons to be grateful. If your kidneys worked this morning, that’s a reason.
I guess the point of this post—if anybody is still reading and cares—is that, yes, we all fight battles, and yes, we all get tired, and on those days when your heart is heavier than concrete blocks, and you feel dead beneath the weight, it’s okay to lay your armor down and have a good cry. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Those who love you love you, and the One who made you loves you more. His grace IS sufficient, and his power is made perfect when you are weak.
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