What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy and irritable. When I'm criticised I become defensive. When people interrupt me I become impatient. I get angry at injustice. Waiting in lines, and bureaucratic runarounds make me feel I'm wasting my life.
I've had a few good days. Days when I caught up on the ironing, my eczema cleared up, I managed to write a few letters, got top marks on an assignment, and finished with an enjoyable game of Scrabble.
I try to pray on the bad days, but my prayers don't get anywhere. On good days I feel aglow with the presence of God. Why can't I have more good days?
But I've been thinking that maybe my 'good' days are the 'blah' ones spiritually... holidays from the business of growing in love. Maybe in God's record book points are only scored on the horrible days when nothing seems to go right. Sure, I lost my temper, but I lasted 15 seconds longer than the previous time, and thus got 15 points overall. Whereas I got nothing for the day when everything went right. It was just a rest between battles.
James 1:2-3 says, "Rejoice when you fall into various temptations, knowing that trials teach patience."
It's not that I should go looking for battles. Even the Lord's prayer says I should pray that I not be put to the test spiritually. The good days are something to be thankful for. Without them, I would never make it. And I Corinthians 10:13 says one way to win battles is to run away from them.
But I can't run from all of them. And when I find myself in the middle of a test I cannot escape from, it pays to remember that this is a great opportunity to brush up on discipline, grow in patience, expand my ability to love. And the lessons I learn in the middle of these battles may count for all eternity.
On the test days I find out just how unspiritual I am; but that's good for my pride too. The main thing is to do a little better than last time. If I do, perhaps God will see it and note my progress.
But I'm probably boring you with all this, since this is my special problem. Or is it?
Dave McKay is a co-founder of a Christian community. website: jesuschristians.com
high-end home cleaning Morton Grove ..When you change your thoughts, you change your life. The... Read More
As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students... Read More
How are you? Where do you get a positive attitude... Read More
There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More
So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More
Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More
One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More
(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More
If you suffer with or have in the past suffered... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
A Yale University study a few years ago revealed that... Read More
I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
Well you know about the young hero who saved his... Read More
One of the most important aspects of living a healthy... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More
If you are a parent, it is up to you... Read More
Does negative thinking pay? Is it desirable for me to... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More
spring cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
This may sound quite aberrant to most of the younger... Read More
Being a mom can take a toll on your body,... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
The world is going downhill faster than an Olympic skier.... Read More
"There is an infinitely worthier subject for philosophers (to study)... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
I get emails and questions from people all the time... Read More
The most dangerous thing is illusion. ~ Ralph Waldo EmersonFailure... Read More
The easiest, most exciting adventure in consciousness follows the lamplit... Read More
One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More
Contrary to the popular saying "attitude is everything" attittude is... Read More
Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
HOW YOUR OUTLOOK INFLUENCES HEALTH AND ABILITY TO CONTROL ANGERJane... Read More
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More
Peak Performance. It means being at the top of your... Read More
Once upon a time, I was a vibrant, youthful teenager...My... Read More
Good morning I love you.This is a basic exercise, which... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |