In today’s world it’s easy to become discouraged.
We’re confronted with many of the same issues that generations before us faced, however, the exception being that word just travels faster.
With the advancement in technology, society’s ills are now broadcast through a variety of means in instantaneous, in-your-face fashion. Our safe, little “bubbles” are suddenly penetrable and less apt to protect us from all that bombards us on almost a daily basis.
Even as Christians, we grow weary of the barrage of “bad news.” Our spirits may sag; our resolve trembles. We trust Christ, but not our circumstances.
How then are we to stay upbeat, positive, and focused?
When the season of disillusionment seems long and never-ending, how do we NOT fall into the pit of despair?
I believe we must pull out all the stops and borrow a page from Barney Fife. The page called “Bud Nipping.”
Here’s what it says:
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Identify our joy-stealers.
What is it that’s crashing our party? Is it negativism on television? Naysayers in the workplace? Life circumstances beyond our control? Once we determine what it is that’s casting a cloud over our sunlit paths, it’s a bit easier to launch a plan of attack. While it’s important to stay up-to-speed with current events, it’s not necessary (or healthy) to superglue ourselves to television and other media 24/7. Because God grants us free will, we get to choose what we allow to infiltrate our minds. The old diddy “garbage in, garbage out” is not just a cute witticism. It’s true! And a word about naysayers: while we can’t control others’ words, actions, or negative diatribes, we CAN control OUR reaction to them. It’s one thing to empathize with those who are going through a rough patch, but it’s entirely another to fuel steams of unmerited negativity. Being subjected to rants doesn’t qualify us as good listeners. It only hardens our hearts and skews our perceptions.
Life circumstances, too, can rain on our parade. They can, in fact, cause monsoons! Cancer is real. Job loss happens. Death robs. Divorce destroys. And although these things can indeed be gut-wrenching battles, somewhere in the midst of our despair, we must give it to God. In the natural, it may seem hopeless, but for our supernatural, all-knowing, ever-present, miracle-working Heavenly Father, there’s always hope! As the Great Physician, His specialty is mending, healing, and restoring upside down, inside out lives.
- Scratch the “loser” mentality and develop a winning mindset.
Focus on the present, but look toward the future. We think like “winners” when we can pause in the moment and anticipate the outcome. Mindsets like can’t, won’t, never, if only do nothing to advance us. They create fear. They stagnate. Winners realize that situations are temporary. Winners value lessons learned. Winners roll the dice and they let God move the mountains. In other words, winners take healthy risks and trust the outcome to the One in charge.
- Irresponsibility. Ditch it. Prepare for the season.
Would we expect 90 degree weather in the middle of February? (Not where I’m from!) How about snow in July? (Again, not in my neck of the woods.) Rose blooms in winter? (Hmmm. Maybe if grown indoors.) The point is we approach life much like we do the changing seasons. We accept the fact that we may need an umbrella in the springtime or sunblock in the summer. We use deductive reasoning. We utilize good judgement. Because of our past experience with what we know, we make logical choices. If the sun comes out, we remove our raincoat–it’s common sense. Why would approaching a season in life be any different? If we know we’re in for an uphill climb, that’s good. If we know and prepare, that’s better.
Seasons may bring surprises and they may seem long. Never-ending.
For those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, impasses seem insurmountable, but for those who DO know Him, we recognize there’s a brighter season ahead!
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What season are you in?
How do YOU prepare when a season seems particularly long?
Photo Credit: Marcus74id/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Blessings Always,
Comments 12
I’m in a waiting season. Even though technology moves at warp speed, the world of traditional print publishing can seem to be operating on impulse engines. I remind myself that waiting and anticipation develop character. 🙂
Author
Keli, YES! I so identify with your waiting season. I’m of the mindset, too, that “waiting” doesn’t mean acquiescing. We can and should surround ourselves with positive influences while we wait. (Did you know that Pollyanna is one of my favorite movies? Love the “glad principle” in that old movie!)
I love that verse, “be prepared in season and out.” Good truths here, Cynthia. Does everyone call you Cynthia? Do you have a shortened nickname? Has zip to do with your post, just curious! You can tweet me an answer! 🙂
My seeds are in the ground and growing. I’m waiting on the “farmer” to harvest the crop to share with the village! LOL 😉
Author
Jess, I like that! I really, really like that! You are such a bright spot.
…And though I write under “Cynthia”, friends and loved ones often call me “Cindy.” Consider yourself both. 😉
(I just realized…I’ve been refering to you as “Jess” for awhile now. Hmmm. Enlighten me?)
Oh wow, I love what you said about preparing for the seasons, Cindy. I’m finally in a season of sunshine after several years of rain. I’m soaking as much of God’s word as I can and making the most of this time because I know another rainy season will come someday.
Author
Sarah, those rainy seasons can be so difficult, can’t they? I wish it were possible to avoid them entirely, but since that’s not realistic, we must prepare for them. I’ve found that walking close with our Heavenly Father keeps us grounded and better prepared when harsh seasons come.
Tickled for your season of sunshine!
I really loved this post.
“Nip it! Nip it in the bud!”
It is so important to identify our joy-stealers, and focus.
I feel that I’m in a change of seasons.
Author
Loree, most definitely! Kudos to you!
I feel a bit of a holding pattern right now, waiting to hear which runway to use.
Author
Patti, the “waiting season” can indeed present a lesson in character-building. Those seasons can be long, but sometimes, blessings in disguise.
You’re about to launch!
I love the last point in this, Cynthia, about being prepared. It’s true! We can’t expect every day to be equally exciting. Some periods in our lives are going to be harder than others, but we can prepare for them (sometimes!).
Author
Jill, you’re right. I wish we didn’t have to endure long seasons, but they do grow us in ways we might otherwise not. Being prepared for the difficult times isn’t always easy, but when we can focus on the fact that the season won’t last forever, it does give us some measure of comfort.