On two separate occasions, I had a chance to talk to my former colleagues who were both struggling with a seeming problem. Mommy M's adolescent son was expelled from school due to behavioral problems. Lately, the son had been attempting to commit suicide and is seeing a psychiatrist. Mommy R's husband has lobulated nasopharyngeal mass, left, with adjacent bone lytic changes and signs of ipsilateral acute mastoiditis or cancer.
Admittedly my problems are incomparable to what they have. I worry about a bad hair day, a pimple on my chin or the color of nail polish I'll apply on my toe nails. I am very embarrassed and further realized that I unconsciously waste my energy on these futile things.
The conversations on the other hand compelled me to stop fretting especially on my nonsensical anxieties. And the inspiring message below reflects my thoughts at the moment:
Similarly, Paul teaches everyone to give thanks for everything no matter how depressing or victorious our situation is (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And with much retrospecting and pondering; we learn and become wiser beings. It is also through our struggles (of varying degrees) that we grow, understand and omit the same mistakes to avoid the cycle of being in the same phase.
What are you thankful for in your life today?
Photo source: Patti's Primitives
I am thankful that all my love ones and I are healthy. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
It is indeed very true Ida. I myself had been in that situation where I felt like the world is on me and failed to realize that I am much much luckier compared to most people that I know. Sometimes, a simple thank you is enough to let God knows how we feel blessed in every gift he sends to us...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this inspiring post. :)
Great to hear from you Farida. It has been awhile... Love this post. We ALL have so much to be thankful for--even in times of trouble and pain. We need to stop fretting about the small stuff --and thank God for our blessings... There are always many other people out there with problems MUCH worse than ours...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Very beautiful text!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and a big hug
I am thankful for people like you who freely share how God has blessed their lives inspite of many difficulties.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your day!
I'm always thankful to God for everything!
ReplyDeleteSis, tanong ko lang we're you able to received recent payment from payu2blog? thanks
Thanks for the enlightening message, Ms. Farida. I also feel that guilt sometimes, yung tipong akala ko pasan ko ang daigdig (chos) but in reality, it's nothing compared to the crosses other people have to endure. You're right. Despite the challenges, God has given us good lives and we have sooo much to thank for.
ReplyDeleteLove the poster..really nice message.
ReplyDeleteO, I know what you mean! My prayers always start with thanksgiving, and once I begin, I find my list of things to be thankful for can really go on and on! There are so many things we take for granted even, like clean water or easy access to a supermarket. Being consciously thankful every day does make one actively focus on the positive in our lives. I've reached the point now where I murmur my thanks to God throughout the day, like when my daughters hug me :)
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes we worry or get irritated in small things until we.find out that these things are just nothing in compare with others.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a good reminder for us to be thankful under all circumstances and to pray for others who need help from above.
I am thankful for my like and family and everything. I always say, there's someone worse off, thanks for sharing this post, xoxo.
ReplyDeleteSimply thankful that I am alive and I woke up to a glorious morning...I got to the office a little late but no fuss...I think it's a beautiful day. :-)
ReplyDeleteThankful for my marriage.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for everything in my life. I am thankful God created me. I am thankful that there are people like you who takes time to thanks God! To god be the glory!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for life itself and my capacity to interact with people like you and the rest of the BC bloggers. It's a rare opportunity to be able to meet good people online! :)
ReplyDeleteFamily. Home. Work. Food. Friends. All the material blessings I am enjoying. The peace of mind to sleep well at night.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot more to be thankful for if we only take a moment to count them. :)
this post made me reflect about life and how thankful i am for the life that i have right now, with my son and hubby. teary eyed, huhu. i agree that sometimes, most of us feel like we're already experiencing the hardest trials but looking around us, there are other people who are in a much more struggle than us.
ReplyDeleteI always make it a point to thank God for all the good things I have, no matter how simple. Sometimes, it's so out of the blue while I am doing something, and i'd thank Him for ALL the good things.
ReplyDeleteI have so many things to thank God for. To name a few, First is my salvation, the gift of eternal life from God through Jesus Christ, then putting me in the ministry, a faithful and loving husband, adorable and healthy kids.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that sometimes are worry are unfounded. Sometimes we worry because we forgot that our God is so might. Just like apostle Peter when confronted with waves, He stopped looking to God instead He looked to his vulnerability.
Beautiful post Farida,
ReplyDeletedeep reflection. How many suffer we are, we need to thanks God for everything.
wishing you a great week
I am thankful of the blessings and constant guidance. In many occasions, when finances are low, an opportunity presents itself leaving me in awe of His power.
ReplyDeleteI thank God always, for my food, waking up everyday, arriving home safe and sound. i talk to God every minute of my life. :)
ReplyDeleteUntil we stand to lose something precious, most of us complain and fret about nonsense. My healtfelt prayers and blessings go out to the families you mentioned...
ReplyDeleteEvery day, I thank God for the gift of life and the endless miracles He sends me. Yes, we are all truly blessed and a thank you is a great way to start.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
although problems come and go and thankful that i am able to surpass all of this,, but in fact I have so many things to be thankful of..
ReplyDeleteI so agree. So many times I worried about things that not yet happening. But God let me see that I don't need to worry. Instead I should be thankful with I have. We just need to pray, trust, hope and have faith in God.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I wake-up, i used to whisper my thanks for giving me another day to continue unfinished tasks.
ReplyDelete