Spring sunrise

Slept in this morning, but when I got up this is what greeted my eyes when I opened the blinds for my daily morning weather check. Pretty cool, huh?

Stress

Stress is an awful thing when it’s in an overload amount. It, in small amounts, can act as a motivator, but too much causes pain, lock-up (physical & emotional & intellectual).

King David experienced stress in Ps. 73. Listen to what he said:

“I envied the proud...they seem to live painless lives... bodies are healthy & strong... don’t have troubles like other people...not plagued with cruelty...have everything they could ever wish for...scoff & speak evil... crush others... boast against heaven...”

These kinds of thoughts come from within us, not from outside. David went on to say, “Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.”

And the final thought from this psalm, “But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.”

Gratitude. Thanksgiving. It certainly has a way of changing our perspective. This morning as I awakened, in spite of some of the physical pains I was experiencing, I realized that I didn’t have 2 of the ones which I had when I went to sleep last night. I chose to focus on the disappearance of the 2 and thank the Lord that they were gone and that I had less pain than last night.

As a result, my heart rejoiced, my mind was full of thanks - in spite of the workload for this week that lays ahead of me - and my attitude changed for the better - in a big way!

Thank You, Lord, for the ability to be thankful and to give thanks and “feel” thankful!