an oprah quote for your friday

     You know how sometimes when you get a planner/calendar thing they'll put quotes on the pages of it? That's how I found this:

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

 - Oprah Winfrey

where's your focus?

     It's so incredibly easy to focus on those things that I don't have. Sometimes it seems like the things that I want but can't have far outweigh the things I DO have. It doesn't take a lot of effort to just indulge in being miserably discontent. I think that's why I do that so much. Because it's too hard to sit down for five minutes and think of a few things that I am thankful for. I'd much rather be miserable and have people sympathize with me, and have them tell me the same things I'm telling myself: that it's not fair that I don't have such-and-such a thing, and that I have a right to get what I want.

     It may seem easier to have that focus, but the fact of the matter is that it's not. It takes it's toll on me until I feel depressed and utterly unsatisfied with my life. I've even experienced feeling so discontent with what I don't have that I wished I could die. It's scary to find that I've let myself go that far in my misery.

     The remedy for this is to simply sit down and write out things that you are thankful for. When I did it, I thought of ninety-seven things that I'm thankful for in one sitting. I have so much, even if I don't realize it all the time. It's healthy to realize it, though. I need to remember how much God has blessed me, and how little those things I don't have matter in the grand scheme of things.

     It's hard to have the right perspective. It's hard to put my focus in the right place. It's so easy to slack off and not tell myself the truth, but instead be content with the lie that I don't have everything I need.

     Because, since I have Jesus, I do have everything I need.

all things

     Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

     I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

I was interrupted while writing the previous sentence by a most uncomfortable sneezing fit. :) I am currently sick with a cold, and have been for the past couple days. At first, I was thinking it would be over the next day and I would carry on as normal. But when Saturday rolled around and I was still sick, I started wondering how long it was going to take for me to get better, I'm really, really tired of being sick. Anxious thoughts come unbidden to my mind: I have loads of homework to do before Monday and Tuesday, and this weekend happens to be the weekend my family is decorating for Christmas. I also was going to have an violin audition for my youth group's worship team, but I might have to reschedule because I'm sick and because I didn't get my piece ready in time. 

     In all this, the passage from Philippians above is helping me through. I'm learning to be content. I'm learning to be content with being awake half the night because I can't breathe through my nose; I'm learning to be content with trekking through the Christmas tree farm with a headache and a nauseous stomach; I'm learning to be content with having to still do school while I'm feeling sick. 

     I know how to be brought low. . . 

I can do ALL things. Through HIM who strengthens me. I don't know about you, but this verse gets me pretty excited. Sure, I'm discouraged sometimes; we all are. Some more than others. Sometimes it seems like you've tried to be content for so long, but it isn't working. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:6-7

     Jesus has enough strength for everyone, all the time. He has enough for me to get through an annoying and uncomfortable cold and still be joyful. 

     Rejoice always.

I forget all too often the significance of my blog's name. REJOICE. Always. In all things. Including illness. Because Jesus works in all things. 

-Sarah :)

another thursday verse... sorry 'bout the belatedness

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Philippians 4:11

Post Scriptum: I would like to maybe do a post about this verse and the surrounding verses in the near future, so look out for that. :)