Taboo... Admit it - Stress Happens

 

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond. - Joel Osteen

 When I'm on facebook looking at the news feed, I often see photos of sandy beaches and blue water and palm trees posted, and I think, "I wish I was there."  I'm sure if I was on a white sandy beach with blue water I would not experience any sort of stress!  Do you think that's the truth???  I have some swamp land I'd like to sell you if you think that's the truth!

Sometimes for a laugh, I imagine a scenerio that I'm sitting on a beach towel soaking up the sun when suddenly I hear, "Fire!"  I turn around and just up the beach, I see smoke coming from a building - and I realize it's the hotel I'm staying at!  All my possessions go up in smoke and I'm left sitting on the beach on a towel.  Would I be experiencing stress then?  Um...  yeah, more than likely - a lot of stress!



 

I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands. 

You are who You are, no matter where I am...

Now, I don't know what anyone else would do in that situation, but I'm pretty sure they may be thinking along the same lines I would.  Something like "I have no money to get back home!" 

Positive people would be saying, "Thank God we were not on the tenth floor of that Hotel when it caught fire", which is a very good and valid point indeed.

The fact is, we really can get hung up on the negatives in life and stress out, when there are just as many positives to focus on.  I get that there is a faith factor and yes we should be very thankful that we were not on the tenth floor of that hotel when it caught fire.  We were safe and sound out on the beach.  This is a good thing, and to focus on that would be the proper and correct response to the situation.

For some reason, my mind seems to want to work the entire situation out all at once, which I suppose does indicate that I lack some faith.  I'm a very practical woman and I want to know how the dots will connect with one another before I begin the journey.  I'm not one to just take a huge "leap" of faith.  I want to have a map in front of me and chart my course and know exactly where I'm going.  Is life that way?  Well, no.

Whether all of the "positive thinking" people want to admit it or not, there's going to be stress in life!  But I get where they're coming from - we have a choice as to how we will react to it.  I admit I need to do better.  I'm trying! 

One of my favorite songs is "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns.  That's the place I want to get to - where I can just decide that no matter what is going on in my life, I'm going to lift my hands and know that God has the matter under control.  No maps in front of me, but just the faith that God has this situation under control - and He doesn't need a map.

Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands

And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Here's Casting Crowns singing "Praise You In This Storm".

http://youtu.be/DjV71EMe92c

Even though we know there is stress all around us, I'm thankful that there are special days like this one.  Today is  WORLD KINDNESS DAY!!!!!  Be kinder than you feel today - and who knows, maybe you'll end up feeling just as kind as you are being!