A new year often brings new goals. For some strength to get through life’s daily challenges can be tough. Especially when tragedy crashes in and turns our world upside down. It comes in all different shapes and sizes. It brings with it stress and emotions like we have never felt. We can become so distressed. We can hardly move or decide anything. Maybe it’s hard to get out of bed. Whatever you are going through, I pray I can help. After this blog has been around for a while, I wish for others to join. I hope you share your stories and highlight what has helped you. I always find if you want to help yourself help someone else. What you share can help someone. This can also move your healing process along.

If you leave a comment or want to subscribe, I will not use your email for anything. I will not email you without your permission or let anyone have/buy my list. I have tried to remove the email request part of these buttons but have yet to figure it out. I want this to be an interactive community where we can share and help each other. Know I will not do anything with your email, so join in please, and let us meet you. 

It’s funny how after Christmas I’m ready for spring. I’m so totally done with winter and it’s barely begun. I love the regeneration of life all around in the springtime. Well, let’s start now with a regeneration of the old us. We often need a spark to ignite positive thoughts when we don’t feel positive. Dwelling on the bad does nothing to help or lift us. Optimism draws us to the happiness that’s waiting. Think a positive thought today and take a step out of what you are feeling. Maybe you have a medical crisis or have lost a loved one. The most difficult is the decision to act. It’s often the small steps that make the biggest difference. Today, make it a priority to take a small step.

I remember after the brain bleed I was relearning to walk. I was hanging onto a walker. The nurse would drag my paralyzed foot to move my leg. I would step with the other. We would repeat this process over and over. With each drag of my foot, I would say my favorite verse. Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I claimed this promise, this positive thought that was given to me. You must believe you can do it. When you believe, you can achieve. Trust me, when it was time, I took that small step alone. It was anything but a small step! I would dwell on how, in God’s mercy, He spared my life, and how I was probably going to see my children into adulthood. After more than a month in the hospital, I returned home, and shortly after, our first granddaughter was born. I thanked God for what I had and the blessings He had given.

My Dad used to say you can always find something to be thankful for. When he first said this in the hospital I felt angry. Sometimes I would feel sorry for myself and start my pity party. There were plenty of those. Then someone would say to me thank God you are alive. I would remember my children, then stop thinking about only myself.

Today maybe try to stand. Pick yourself up and move confidently toward a better tomorrow. If you are in despair, set your goal to take a small step. Be thankful for what you have. Don’t dwell on what you can’t do or no longer have. If you have lost a loved one, think of the glorious memories and be thankful for your time with them.

My next favorite verse is Isiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. More great promises, when we wait and lean on Him, He will renew our strength. Do you feel you need strength now? He will help you through, take His hand. We can again soar like eagles by leaning on Him. He will lead us through. This is a promise we can claim. Pray for the strength to run through this time and not grow weary. To walk and not faint.

Don’t let today remain a struggle, but press on and make each one better. Let Him renew your strength and help you not grow weary. Take your thoughts captive and direct them to the blessings in your life. Be thankful. Only think about the good things.

In Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland Lewis Carroll wrote, “It’s no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” Our experiences in life change us. Find the person you are today. Maybe this is a new normal compared to what you’re used to. Whatever it is. You can find and deal with it. Especially if you are a person of faith, lean on Him. He is always here for us. It’s one of His many promises.

Romans 10:13 Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is the answer: We can be saved and know Jesus personally. If you let Him, He will walk beside you and help you through the rest of your life. 

My prayer for each of you struggling through life is that you accept Jesus, heal, and lean on him. I pray you feel better with each passing day, that each tomorrow is better than yesterday, and that you know the world is a better place with you in it.