Skip to main content

I am Thankful for Struggle


Founders Note: Today on the blog we have guest post from Samantha on this month's theme Gratitude. You can learn more about Samantha and her blog in the bio at the end of the post. 

It’s true what they say, “the grass is always greener on the other side.” I’ve found myself countless times, wishing and hoping for things I don’t have. Some days, it’s so much easier to be unappreciative or ungrateful of my life.

Some days, I wish for a more expensive home, a supermodel body, and a generous paycheck. I make a fuss about the little things, like where the toothpaste should go (I say cabinet, my husband says counter). I can get swept up in my own emotions, my wants and desires, so I start acting greedy and selfish.

“Be joyful always, pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 16:18

It isn’t often, but when I have these moments, I feel completely disconnected with God. For a while, I question His plan and His will for my life. I momentarily decide that I want to do what I want, when I want.

Those thoughts quickly disappear because I’ve been down that road before. Pursuing a life with God on the sidelines leaves me feeling empty, broken, and sad. I actively need a relationship with God on the throne and me kneeling at His feet.

When I express my struggles to others, they say, “Think about what you don’t have. Think about the starving children or homeless veterans.”

It’s a cliché but the words hold value.

Even though I don’t like the taste, I have drinking water. I live in a war-free zone, so I am not fearful of leaving my home. I have health problems, but it could be worse. The list could go on.

I also like to think about the things I struggle with every day. I have a chronic health condition which makes it difficult to have a 9-5 job. It’s the biggest struggle of mine, mentally and physically. I hate being sick. But, I like to look on the bright side. If I wasn’t sick and stuck at home, my freelance writing career would have never started. My own personal blog wouldn’t be important. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share the Word with people around the world. I wouldn’t have gotten a book deal. And I probably would become that person who puts work before anything else.

Photo Credit canva.com


Every night, I have made a habit out of writing a grateful journal. Along with my prayers, I list things that I am grateful for (big and small), I write down challenges from the day and what I learned from them, I recall the people I spoke to or saw during the day (even strangers), and then I end it by writing down the best part of my day. I re-read my list and thank God for everything, because my list and the things that I learned are a part of a much bigger plan.

So, I challenge you all, for the next 30 days, to make a grateful journal. I guarantee it will change your perspective of the world and your life. May you feel as blessed and thankful as I do.

With love,
Samantha



Samantha is a Freelance Writer, Artist, Egalitarian, Wife to Travis, Momma to Pepper, and a Child of God. She is the author of His Endless Love, a blog dedicated to sharing the love of God.


post signature

Comments

  1. Great idea! Gratitude journal... :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know what? I totally agree with you. In y worst moments of anxiety, what I often hate most isn't the feeling itself of increased stress, but feeling disconnected from God. It's so hard and makes me feel that much more alone. But, getting to put time aside to pray and reflect and strengthen that bond again...it's priceless and always helps get me back on the track of feeling great. Awesome post!!


    cominguprosestheblog.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Popular posts from this blog

The Wetherills Say I Do | Guest Post

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have one of our August sponsors Madison of The Wetherills Say I Do . She is also one of my blogging friends, I have enjoyed working with her this month and am excited to continue in the future, she is a sweet girl with a big heart for others and Jesus! Today She is sharing her heart on this months theme: Beauty in the Brokenness. So be sure to check out her blog at the links below! If you've ever heard a group of people share their testimonies, a lot of them have a common thread: brokenness. A lot of now believers had to come to a very low point in their lives before they had their breaking moment of calling out to Jesus. Have you ever wondered why that is? Why is it that so many of us have to hit rock bottom before we'll realize our infinite need for a Savior? I don't know the answer to that question, but I do know that in my darkest moments, I've seen the Lord hand out grace and turn brokenness into beauty. We all tend t...

1 Year of Ministry Giveaway.

Since we turned one Year Old This week, we are celebrating with a Giveaway. We have teamed up with one of our monthly contributors Charity at the Word of a Nerd to bring you some awesome prizes, which are: Ann Voskamp's 1,000 Gifts and a $25.00 target gift card, 15.00 Starbucks gift card, and a Medium Sized Ad on the Word a Nerd!  So be sure to enter using the raffle copter below, you have until next Thursday! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finding Comfort in the "Waiting Room"

Founders Note: Today's post is written by our new friend Brooke. Her blog is called "Living as a Single Gal". (you can find the link below) We've just discovered Brooke's blog and we look forward to unwrapping more of the great wisdom she has to share. Without further ado, here is her post... Imagine, if you will, that you are in a waiting room. The room is crowded; people standing, people on chairs, people sitting on the floor; this room is totally packed full. And all of these people are waiting. Waiting for what you may ask? That’s simple; love. You are standing in a corner with some of your girlfriends having some laughs. Then one of them gets called out of the room. Then another. Then another; another one bites the dust. One by one all of your single girlfriends are leaving the waiting room and finding true love. Not only are your friends leaving you, but the rest room seems to empty out significantly. And then there’s you. --...

Travel Essentials

RelayRides  recently contacted us and wanted us to share our travel essentials. RelayRides is a peer to peer sharing car rental service that takes community into account when renting cars. You can also get airport car rentals as an option for people coming and going from the airport. So be sure to check out that as well on their site. Below are a few of my travel essentials and some things that I am always sure to bring with me when traveling. It was hard to only pick a few things, but I would love to hear what your travel essentials are. Whether your traveling for the Holidays or not, there are always things that you are sure to bring with you! 1. VERA BRADLEY SUITCASE |  I love having a colorful bag that I can use for travel and it's not too heavy which is good. 2. I PHONE +CHARGER |  This is an essential for texting, phone calls, and keeping up with social media. 3. I-PAD +CHARGER |  For reading on my kindle app, playing games..etc. 4. HEADPHO...

10 Facts about The Founders

Founders Note: Today We are sharing some facts about us the founders of this blog. We thought it would be fun to share some things that you might not know about us and our friendship. So we hope you enjoy reading through the facts and feel free to share some of your own in the comments! 1. I love to cook and bake. 2. i could wear a  different scarf everyday if I wanted to, yes it's an addiction I have so many of them. 3. I'm a grad student studying to get my masters in counseling at Liberty University.  4. I'm the only person in my immediate family with blue eyes 5. I want to learn how to bake bread, if any one has any good recipe's let me know!  6. I love nail polish. I paint my nails a lot! 7. I went to South Africa for Three weeks in January of 2011.  8. I hate clowns. they freak me out. 9. Sunsets are one of my favorite things, i love how each one is different yet so beautiful.  10. I love spicy food.  1. I have my...