How’s your mood today? The condition of your heart? Are you swelling with sunshine and delight? I sure hope so. But maybe you’re not. Maybe you’re feeling the weight of discouragement or disheartenment. It could be that you woke with vibrance and positivity, but then something, or someone, knocked the wind out of your sails.

For me, yesterday‘s disappointments have shadowed today’s sunshine as I wrestle with the loss of a loved one.

I don’t know if you can relate to my next contemplation, but I can’t stand feeling “stuck” down in the dumps. You too, huh? In this black hole, my focus dims on all matters swirling around me, and to be honest, the goodness of God becomes masked a bit. 

It’s in these moments that I forget I have a choice to change all of this. Not that I can raise lives from the grave, and you may have no control over the circumstances that have soured or saddened your soul. But, we have a choice to lift our struggles to the light.

We can turn our eyes to the good Lord in control of every difficult detail we’ve witnessed, bask in his sweet presence, and cling to the truth that he turns ashes to beauty. Always. That was his plan all along. That is still his plan. And we can thank him for the refining and loveliness in the works, even through the muddied waters. We can thank him that he is that good, and that he never ever fails.

And we can smile.

If your heart is heavy or your thoughts are disgruntled and defeated, would you take a moment with me and sit with our friend Jesus. Offer your gratitude for his goodness, his constant care, and his uplifting presence. And praise him for the light of hope that He never stops shining over our life.

Let’s take that glorious light with us today… and carry it with confidence. Allow it to comfort your wounds, infuse your path with calming peace, and flow out of you with smiles of solace and joy. 

Reflect:

Is your mood messy or your heart heavy? How would turning your eyes to God’s sovereign goodness shine light on your circumstances?

Pray:

Dear good Father in heaven, some days are harder than others. Some seasons the struggles are thick. But you are still good. You are always reworking the mess in me and around me into something exquisite and excellent. Help me turn my eyes to this, your bright light of hope. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Seek the Word:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)  Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) 

Have a blessed week! 

Your friend, Keri Ann

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