WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
Isn’t January and February usually a slower pace and a quieter time? That’s not my story right now. My crazy November and December rolled into a really challenging new year that is full of busy work for me. To be honest, there’s a lot going on, and it’s hard to keep it all straight most days. I’ve learned a lot through the years about staying in a good head space and attitude. When I feel out of my comfort zone then I need to throw back my head and laugh knowing that God is in control.
This is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it! (Psalm 118:24)
This brings back good memories of my two daughters and their wedding day. I think it’s the day that women have the most pressure and they want things to be so perfect. No matter what, something goes wrong though. Even if things are good, it seems that the temptation is to think and worry about all the what-ifs. I told my girls that something will upset you and cause you to stress, but don’t let it ruin your most special day. When you start to feel the pressure, just stop and throw back your head and laugh. And those moments came for them both. It’s really an act of our will – it’s about releasing the pressure and choosing to trust. Funny thing is that it works.
This is now advice to me and to you. We can do this. Choosing to make the most of our days and eliminating stress because it is internal, is a good and healthy goal for us. We do most of it to ourselves. Could it be that easy to turn things around in a risky moment when I must decide what to do or how to respond? It really is about letting things roll off or will I hold it and carry it. I know that when I choose to hold onto things it makes my heart and head sick. The Bible talks about this in several places as a warning.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
Funny thing is that my license plate says Cheerfl because my ministry nickname is Cheerful Heart. Sometimes we must be reminded of who we are. This came from this verse about 20 years ago and a time that I went through where I knew how important that it was for me to stay close to God and His Word. I needed to remember how much that He had done in my life and in those around me.
It’s about guarding my heart and knowing that it is the most important thing for everything I do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23) I must guard my heart to keep it from getting polluted with anything negative and unloving that can happen when life goes sideways.
I meet with and talk to a lot of people about hurts and struggles and I know that these things happen to everyone. The Bible says that there’s nothing new under the sun, we all go through the same things. People always have. Today, it’s my choice to try to control or to trust; to live a joy-filled life or to live in dread. I choose life with purpose and hope; following Christ and knowing He is walking with me, and I will get through whatever comes my way. I will throw back my head and laugh and enjoy the journey.
