At 3:30 this morning, I stepped out onto the frozen grass in the back yard to keep an eye on the dogs as they did their business. I was not happy about this because it was earlier than I usually get up. I didn’t want to be there. But when the dogs started barking, I knew they meant business. It was either inside or outside. I chose outside.
As I stood there with snow, sleet, and rain coming down at the same time, I started to feel sorry for myself because once I am up, I cannot go back to sleep, which meant I was up for the day. I was cold, tired, irritated, and feeling sorry for myself. It was a true Woe Is Me moment.
After the dogs had taken their own sweet time, and we were finally back in the house, I turned on the computer to check the news. A portion of the lead story said, “In Texas alone, more than 350,000 homes, businesses and other power customers had no electricity in the frigid cold Wednesday night, according to PowerOutage.US.”
Suddenly, as I sat in my warm house, sipping a cup of coffee, I was ashamed of my internal whining and complaining because instead of looking at my blessings, I was focused on the few, momentary inconveniences of life. I do this a lot.
The point to this meandering devotional is simple. If you think you are having a bad day, look around.
While there are times when life is hard, the vast majority of our time on this planet is incredibly blessed. Sadly, we seem to overlook our blessings and focus on the transitory challenges of life.
I hope you are in a good place in life, but if not, know God loves, supports, and holds you close. Even if you feel completely alone, you are not. You are blessed because God will never leave or forsake you. God will see you through.
Paul said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Once we get past the trials of this world, we go to our eternal home. Because of this, each of us can say, even as we face hardship, we are blessed.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, open my eyes so that I can focus on my blessings. Help me always see the big picture. Lord, I lift up to you those who suffer in this cold. Bring them warmth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In the midst of the challenges of this day, focus on your blessings.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 