But then I see some posts that encouraging, memorable for the joyous uplifting, positive, kind, goodness and life changers. Even the cute pictures of a stray dog leading a rescue team to her babies. So.....
Those positive ones are the posts that mean the most to me.
Don't want to go through my long lists of medical things but I will say that God has been with me each step of the way. And I have encouragement from many that always was perfectly said or felt. So recently asked my Facebook friends what words they gave ore received that they thought were helpful.
I received some real gems. Treasures!!! I'll quote a few and then ask if you are reading this blog, that you post things that have helped you through rough times.
"You gotta keep on keeping on. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13" Johanna
"Just keep swimming!" Trina and Mary Beth
"help someone else" Jane
"encouragement
to me is when one will tell me the truth, but remind me that Jesus said
HE would never leave me nor forsake me. When I am on the bottom looking
up, I really need to be reminded that Jesus will be there. Many times
when I've been
that low, my dad would take his finger and point like he wanted me to
see something very far off. He would say, I want you to look way, way
down there. Can't you see there is light at the end of the tunnel. He
said, you may not see but just a little flicker, but there it is, see,
it really is light. OH JESUS YOU REALLY ARE SO GOOD AND KIND. " Suzette
"If God brings you to it he will bring you through it. Jesus is the reason and I put my hope and trust in Him." Christine
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, " Nahum 1:7 Celeta
Practice random acts of kindness, and senseless acts of beauty. Lori
What I have found personally helpful for me....
"You know that God loves you, but I am just saying that people are looking to see if your faith will waiver under what is going on."
I prefer "feel good" movies like Polyanna.... one of my favorites
As a younger person, I began reading biographies of people who were quite exemplary in how they handled life.... and overcame what seemed to be impossible situations.
Music guides my thoughts and can transform my emotions. One of the best modern songs about overcoming. Wonderful Mandisa with Overcomer. Just saw the vidoe for the first time! (click the blue hyperlink next to this to hear and see her) Mandisa - Overcomer
Sometimes solitude is needed and sometimes a good cry or sometimes a laugh or even both.
When I become anxious, words of comfort like these help:
" Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26
When I feel I can do nothing anymore, just nothing and feel the start of a major pity party, I start planning something to do, a prayathon is a likely event or a surprise for someone else
My mother used to give the quietest and sweetest comfort to me. It would go something like this "I cannot make this go away, but I'll stay with you as long as you need me to and I know you are strong and will work your way through this. And she seemed to know innately what people needed. She never did "tell" people what to do - other than to tell my Dad NOT to track up her very clean kitchen :) But she was the kind of positive sounding board folks still need.
But most of all I look for the rainbow that God will send....His promise to me and to the world. There will be a better day.... Life is never easy but it becomes much easier when I tell myself. God loves me. He has a plan, a purpose, a reason for everything and everything unto its season..... Just Like Ecclesiates 3 says....
Feel free to add your thoughts about encouragement... LITLA
