When times are tough, do not pray for an easy life, pray for strength to endure the difficult times.
Nobody promised us that life would be easy. Life is hard and messy, full of challenges and obstacles. These are all the things that stretch us beyond ourselves, make us grow and learn how to cope. For many, it forces us to leave our childhood ways behind and step into adulthood in all its’ messiness.
Have you ever thought that perhaps some of our challenges is just God poking us and asking us to turn towards him? Turn, not for the answers we want, but so that He can help us live the life we were meant to live. Or maybe, it is God showing us that we’ve turned away and our current path will not lead to happiness.
Hard times build strength of character and strength of spirit. You have two choices, give in and live your days complaining and feeling sorry for yourself, or step up to the plate and face the challenges head on. There is always a kind of satisfaction when you know that you are giving it your all, regardless of the outcome. The choice is always yours.
Even people who appear to have it all together have their own challenges. The trick is to not look to other people in envy. We can watch and learn, see how others manage their struggles. Some will show us what to do while others show us what not to do. There will be those who will offer good advice, others, bad.
The key is to not fool yourself into believing that you can walk away from your problems. Even when you do, there will still be effort required to change direction and start anew.
I think the older we get, the more we realize that happiness is our own responsibility. It does not lie within ‘things’ or even other people. It is a choice we make in regards to our own state of mind. ‘Things’ no longer are important and we cherish times with family and friends above materialistic items.
You have everything you need to get through lifes’ difficulties. Never forget that you have the strength to endure lifes’ challenges.