It can become difficult to keep our thoughts positive, however, when we are experiencing troubles in life. We sometimes walk through painful experiences; this is just a part of living. Struggles come to us all at times. Even then, we can maintain positivity.
One way that I have found helpful is to recognize that even though I am feeling low while dealing with pain, if I view my situation from the right perspective, it is easier. When I feel especially down or stressed, taking a walk makes me feel better. Since I work in a medical setting near doctors’ offices and hospitals, there have been many times when my walk would reveal someone with serious illness, or just walking past waiting areas full of people reminded me there were a lot of people facing much worse than I was. While I don’t want to see others hurting, this is just a reminder that what I am dealing with may not be so bad after all. Perspective is huge in maintaining positivity.
Another way of dealing with problems is to take them to God in prayer. We are guided in the Bible to make our petitions known to God, to pray without ceasing and to leave our troubles with Him. There are also examples in the Bible of persistence in asking bringing results. I would like to share with you from the devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young:
“When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mind-set becomes much more positive.”
Once again, a reminder that thankfulness is key to living . . . life to the fullest.
