Rediscovering Hope Through the Lens of Suffering
“Perspective adds a breath of fresh air to the otherwise suffocating demands of life.”
— Charles R. Swindoll
Perspective is the difference between viewing the glass as half empty or half full.
It is the difference between merely seeing and truly believing.
The difference between complaining about our circumstances, and being grateful despite them.
Perspective can make or break us.
Y’all, my family is on spring break this week! Woot!
The kids are home, my husband is home, and mama is doing the happy dance!
Whether your kids are home schooled or public schooled, one thing is sure- we parents work just as hard as our kids do throughout the school year. Can I get an amen?
And so with gusto, the kids and I left the school parking lot on Friday afternoon, singing our own rendition of Alice Cooper’s original hit song, “School’s Out for Summer!” (Only we inserted the word, Springbreak, in place of Summer.)
But our celebration came to a sudden halt when my son asked this serious, albeit, innocent question:
“Mom, now that we’re on break, can we get back to reading the Bible together as a family again?”
Talk about a kill-joy!
I instantly felt a twinge of guilt- and dare I say– actually let out a begrudging sigh…
Last week I wrote a message on the subject of comparison. If you missed it, you can catch it here.
Apparently, this is a subject that resonates with women on a grand scale.
I can understand why.
I have spent much of life drowning in my own insecurities. Measuring myself against the backdrop of others’ achievements, appearances, giftings, possessions, and relationships.
Consider the following scenario’s. Can you find yourself in any of them?
Hello. My name is Rachel, and I’m a comparison addict.
While this may not be the most flattering introduction to lead with- for many, MANY years- it’s where I’ve lived.
The struggle of comparing myself with others is real.
Can you relate? Have you ever succumbed to the comparison game?
Imagine for a minute that a friend of yours is promoted to the EXACT position that you’ve longed for. Dreamed of even. And she calls to tell you all about it.
Deep down, you want to be happy for her, and truthfully you are. It’s not that you don’t want her to succeed, or reach her goals and live her dream.
The problem is- you want that too!
And if we’re being REALLY honest- maybe we want that first!
And so outwardly you celebrate with her. You tell her job well done. You send her a text telling her how happy you are for her. You “like” all of her Facebook posts where she shares about her new and exciting adventure.
But inwardly….. inwardly, you’re drowning. Sinking in bitter sands of comparison.
“When will it be MY turn?” you ask yourself. “Why can’t I have what she has?” “Will I ever get MY big break?”
Can I be honest with you?
I spent the better half of this week feeling discouraged and dissatisfied.
And if I’m being REALLY honest, I feel this way often, and frequently when it ought to be least likely.
I wonder if you can relate?
Take my week, for example. Last week was a stellar week for me!
There is no rhyme or reason as to why I felt so discouraged.
I should have felt elated, productive, accomplished, and…well, satisfied.
But instead I found myself asking, “Is this all there is?”
“Why do I feel so dissatisfied?”
“Surely, there’s got to be more to life than this?”
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