From Painful Attitude To Healthy Gratitude
29 Sep 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
The noise of a chainsaw interrupted my morning cup of coffee. Standing to my feet, I walked to my living room window and looked outside. Two men were busy trimming a tree across the street in my neighbor’s yard. After a few minutes, I returned to my waiting soy latte.
Later that morning, I went to investigate how the trimming was coming along. “Oh no!” my thoughts screamed. “It is gone!” Standing in shock, I looked out to the empty place where my favorite tree once stood. Grief entered my heart. Gone was the hope of ever hearing the soft rustling sound of the silvery green leaves gently blowing in the wind.
Feeling the breeze while hearing the sweet song of the Cottonwood leaves had always reminded me of sitting on a warm beach while listening to the sounds of a gentle ocean. My body had relaxed so many times while enjoying this melodic tree. Now it was gone, never to return.
My health had been like this Cottonwood tree, suddenly disappearing as if it had never existed. Gone was my faithful constant companion–the one I took for granted. Somehow, I thought it would always just remain with me.
Emotional and physical pain took the place of good health, and soon I realized how I was never in control of my health leaving. Soon, frustrated anger robbed me of joy. Identifying this robber, I determined to let go of negative thinking, releasing the “why me” of suffering, and instead looking for blessings in my life.
Forcing my mind to thankfully appreciate was not easy at first. It was unnatural for my negative attitude to be surrounded by a thankful heart, yet soon my mind started remembering activities which I had enjoyed while living in a healthy body. I started seeing those times as gifts from God instead of what I lost.
Truthfully, God does not owe me perfect health, as it is a gift from His hand. I had the ability to live a freer physical life for many years due to excellent health. Through remembering this, I have found an understanding of health as a gift, along with a new attitude of gratitude.
Prayer: Thank you for each day, as it is a gift of Your hand. Strengthen me daily, so I can walk in thankfulness despite what the day or my body brings.
About the Author:
Cindy Pocapalia lives in with her husband and two children in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She loves her family, friends, and Jesus. Also, she delights in seeing how God works in and through her life and the lives of her believing friends. The desire of her heart is to bring His encouragement, hope, and truth to others.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What things have you found through physical or emotional suffering, and how have you been helped by these revelations?
Sep 29, 2011 @ 15:36:57
Cindy, I appreciated reading your thoughts. I, too once had a gorgeous tree – for me it was an evergreen tree – that was right up beside the apartment complex where I live. Its boughs swept across my dining room window but not completely. Living on the third floor ( top floor ) of my complex, it gave me privacy and comfort throughout all the seasons – soothing . One summer, I was able to travel and was gone a while. When I returned home – it was gone. My dining room seemed bare – it was bare! It took some adjusting.
You bring a good analogy of our lives. We wake up one morning and our health is banished in some area or areas and we had no warning. I agree with your main message here. We truly do need to be grateful for each day – find as many things in the day we can recognize as blessings. Like you, I enjoy looking back on the times when I could be more active. I appreciated them at the time but not as much as I do now that my ability to participate in these wasy is gone. I sometimes take mini-vacations and feel the joy of them again – and am grateful.
Thanks for sharing!
Lynn
Sep 30, 2011 @ 08:48:23
Hi Lynn,
It always amazes me how God can use all things to teach us, even a missing tree. It sure isn’t an easy life, especially living with chronic illness every day, but when we keep our eyes and mind open we can see blessings all around us.
Sorry to hear about your missing tree. What a shock to be away and return home to see that it was suddenly gone. You used the word “adjusting” when you spoke of the new bare spot outside of your window, yes that is definately it—–adjusting to constant change. It is even more of a challenge when we have had no warning of the change, as there is no time to prepare emotionally. I like things to be lined up in order, so this has been something that I am learning to let go of my “in order” way of thinking.
Thank you for your comments and shared encouragement,
Cindy
Sep 30, 2011 @ 10:46:45
Thank you, Cindy!
I look forward to reading more of your devotionals.
Lynn