“It could always be worse.” That’s what she said to me, as I was near-tears.
Everything felt so hard around me. Circumstances were beyond my control. I had no idea how to handle my own emotions. No matter which way I thought of things, everything was unfixable. Worst of all, I had no way to help the man I loved.
It could always be worse.
Now, I’ll admit to you all today, if she had spoken these words without credibility . . . if she didn’t know hard times . . . if I thought these words were flippant . . . if she wasn’t in the midst of her own trial . . . if she was just trying to “fix me”. . . I might have written her words off.
But, she was in the midst of a horrible trial. She did say these words authentically. And, there was heart and sincerity in the tone of her voice. . .
. . . so I took her words to heart.
It could be worse.
My kids could be in the hospital.
My bed could be on the streets.
My hope could be completely gone.
It could be worse. And, for this — I have something to be thankful for.
I internally mutter a “thank you, God.” And, somehow I start feeling better. More hopeful. More life-filled. More trusting that He will help me. More reflective of how God has helped me in the past.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:18 KJV)
What can you give thanks for today? God’s will is that you say, “Thank you, God.” His heart is to lift you up again.
Prayer:
God, there are hurts around me. There is pain near me. There is hope that feels lost. I need you. I thank you that you are always with me. You will never forsake me. You have a good plan. Forgive me for becoming so issue-focused, I have missed giving thanks to you. I ask you to help me see the good, the hope-filled and the little things I can give thanks for. Help me to lift my head, in order to lock eyes — with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Thank you for this blog. I needed this. I am facing struggles and trials and I have become beyond issue focused and have shut down for almost twelve years. I want to stop and become “alive” again. But in the process of shutting down I have ignored the world and people around me which has hurt them and think I don’t care. Please keep in prayer in this season of trial and sadness. We are faced with placing my 98 year old grandmother in a nursing facility. My mother can no longer care for her and this is beyond painful.