by Dennis Ensor
I read a blog today that encouraged each reader to participate in an interesting assignment. The assignment was to write two brief essays about your life—one as a victim and one as a winner. The assignment demonstrates the major difference one’s perspective can make. Let me show you in the paragraphs below.
I’m miserable! I haven’t been able to sleep for three days because of this stupid cold. I’ve been coughing my head off and it only gets worse when I lay down. My head aches and my throat burns. Nobody seems to care. Not one of my friends have asked me about my coughing, or how I felt. They were all too busy with their own self interests to worry about me.
On top of that I just received an email criticizing my role in a church ministry. Here I am knocking myself out trying to help people and this is the kind of thanks I get. What’s the use? Sometimes I want to quit trying to help people. Why shouldn’t I? Nobody cares about me. I’m sick of it!
Depressed yet? Now, let’s try it from the flip side.
Praise God that I am starting to feel better. Though I’ve been coughing my head off I think it’s helping me get rid of some belly fat. Every time I cough, I have to tense my stomach muscles. That’s like doing non-stop sit-ups. Since food tickles my throat I’ve eaten less. Since I haven’t slept well, I’ve been able to get a lot of work done on my laptop. I have also been distracting myself by watching inspirational videos. It’s amazing what you can learn online.
The pharmacist at the drug store recommended some great medicine at an affordable price. After taking some I immediately started feeling better. Isn’t it amazing how we have access to all these options? Thank you God for blessing my life!
As illustrated in these essays, we each have the option to be a thankful, encouraging, and uplifting person, or to be a negative, downcast meatball. Though we may not always feel happy, we always have a choice to make it a great day, regardless of the circumstances.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Thank you Lord for blessing me so. Thank you for my good health. Thank you for the food you give me on a daily basis. Thank you for a loving family who cares about me no matter what. And most of all, thank you for sending your only Son to die on the cross for my sins. Help me Father to take the blessings you have given me, and to make a difference in the lives of those around me. Amen.
Copyright © 2014, Dennis Ensor, all rights reserved. Bible scripture from New International Version. Images from www.freeimages.com.
You may contact Dennis at dennisensor@hotmail.com. Read more from Dennis at www.muddypuddles.blog.com & www.goodnewsfromgodbook.wordpress.com
