When Things Go Wrong...

Nothing is more frustrating than feeling as if you have given your all just to be met with more hardships and disappointments. The truth is, when things go wrong there are many lessons to be learned from what seems to be a painful and hurtful circumstance. God uses our disappointments as bait to reel us closer to Him. In life it is easy to get unfocused. Focusing on what others have accomplished and seeing your life as unproductive is a trick of the enemy.

When things go wrong remember this: "You are enough!" You are not defined by what you go through or who leaves you. You bring definition into your life by how you choose to respond. Many times what we perceive as a misfortune or defeat is actually an opportunity for us to rely on God's strength and learn more about who He is and what we can do through Him.

Being a college student who has pursued a bachelors degree for over the course of six years, it is easy for me to see other people's collegiate success and think poorly of myself. It is easy for me to sit in shame, frustration, and even doubt. But, what takes work is what I need the most. What takes work is being genuinely happy and proud of myself as I rejoice for others. What requires work is me not comparing my success by others.

Lately, I have definitely felt the pressure of feeling like things have gone wrong for me... until I count my blessings. Until I think about all of the individuals who are grieving loved ones, who may be dealing with homelessness, who are incarcerated and innocent, or unable to attend college at all because they can not afford it, or have to serve as a caretaker for a family member.

You have warm water, your lungs are able to function without a breathing machine, you have mobility of your limbs, someone called you today, you have a place to lay your head.

There is truly so much to be grateful and thankful for.

Even as I write this, I am asking God to forgive me. I am asking Him to be my strength and the lifter of my head as I learn to trust Him and love Him more even when I think things are going wrong. Because truth is, things are just how they should be.

Why is practicing gratitude so important?

Gratitude determines your happiness. The more grateful you are, the more peace you will have. Being grateful for material things or even people will lead to depression, because once that thing or person is gone, then so is your gratitude for life and your peace of mind. But, when you are grateful for the God that created you or for the life He has given you, you have found sustainable grounds.

Standing for God and with God is so important. He provides this type of peace that is unexplainable. Being alone has a new definition when you know Christ, having little to no money or confidence means trusting God more, when you know who He is. Losing your job for no legitimate reason means stepping unapologetically into your calling when you are living for Christ. All I'm really saying is: BE GRATEFUL & TRUST GOD WITH EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE. Things are not going wrong, God knows whats best.