Thursday, July 27, 2006
Be Positive...lose the Negative
Amy is still dealing with a sore head today, she plans on calling her doctor tomorrow to see if it’s anything to get concerned about. Other than that, I think she had a pretty good day.
A very good friend told me the other day that I’ve changed since Amy’s surgery…that I sound more and more like I’m losing hope. I had to sit back and think about that one for awhile. I thought to myself: wow, have I really changed? On one hand how can someone go through, hear and see the things I (we) have and not be changed? The thing is we control how were changed. We may not be able to control or change our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them. After much introspection, I know that I haven’t lost hope, but I did discover that I’ve been slowly building this hard shell of protection to help me stay strong…strong for the kids…strong for Amy. And to this my friend told me ‘In staying strong, don’t forget to feel.’ So, I prayed, ‘Ok, Lord…how do I stay strong for my kids and at the same time keep myself from a hardened heart and bitterness?’ I have never in my life received an answer from God as quickly as I did then…and it was so perfect in its simplicity that I was actually stunned…’Blessings, count your blessings.’ And in the middle of mentally listing just the blessings that God had bestowed upon me, it dawned on me that ALL the blessings God has bestowed is a two-sided coin, it keeps your heart soft and humble with the knowledge that we can’t do it without Him. On the flip side it keeps you strong knowing that God is on your side, ready and willing to bless us…bless us indeed!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
A very good friend told me the other day that I’ve changed since Amy’s surgery…that I sound more and more like I’m losing hope. I had to sit back and think about that one for awhile. I thought to myself: wow, have I really changed? On one hand how can someone go through, hear and see the things I (we) have and not be changed? The thing is we control how were changed. We may not be able to control or change our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them. After much introspection, I know that I haven’t lost hope, but I did discover that I’ve been slowly building this hard shell of protection to help me stay strong…strong for the kids…strong for Amy. And to this my friend told me ‘In staying strong, don’t forget to feel.’ So, I prayed, ‘Ok, Lord…how do I stay strong for my kids and at the same time keep myself from a hardened heart and bitterness?’ I have never in my life received an answer from God as quickly as I did then…and it was so perfect in its simplicity that I was actually stunned…’Blessings, count your blessings.’ And in the middle of mentally listing just the blessings that God had bestowed upon me, it dawned on me that ALL the blessings God has bestowed is a two-sided coin, it keeps your heart soft and humble with the knowledge that we can’t do it without Him. On the flip side it keeps you strong knowing that God is on your side, ready and willing to bless us…bless us indeed!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
# posted by Vince @ 10:06 PM 
