It Starts Small

We all go through challenging situations. God offers us hope for our future. Today’s scripture leads us to gaining a positive outlook in difficult situation. Joni Eareckson Tada lead a life of courage by holding on to the hope that God promises us a future.

³ And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, ⁴ endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. ⁵ This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

When events in our lives are favorable, we tend to be happy and are optimistic. When the events are challenging, we tend to lead unhappy lives and adopt a negative perspective on life.

When we experience hopelessness, brokenness, and despair it can be hard to muster up the courage and strength to keep going. Through our trails, we must learn to keep our eyes on Christ who is that author and perfecter of our faith and future. We must strive to focus on the things we are thankful. We can choose to have a positive outlook, no matter the situation or struggle.

Joni Eareckson Tada became paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, She had a horrific accident while diving in 1967. After several long years of rehabilitation she embraced her circumstance and was determined to help others with similar disabilities.

Since that time, she has authored more than fifty books and s a well-known artist. She write a column and is a speaker. Joni openly shares her initial struggle to accept God’s new plan for her life. SHe goes on to describe her courageous outlook in this way:

For a wheelchair may confine a body that is wasting away. But no wheelchair can confine the soul … the soul that is inwardly renewed day by day.

Joni Eareckson Tada

Courageously embrace your circumstances by adopting the following practices:

• Focus on the Eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18)
• Trust God to work all things together for Good (Romans 8:28)
• Devote yourself to prayer with an attitude of Thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2)
• Place your hope in God’s ability to care for your future (Jeremiah 29:11)

God wants us to embrace His hope and joy in the midst of life’s circumstances; good or bad. He wants to strengthen our character and our ability to go through life’s trials.

Make a commitment today to adopt a positive outlook and attitude toward your circumstances. Let others see your perspective through your actions and behaviors.

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