I don't know about you guys, but this has been a busy week for me. I've been rushing trying to get through my finals and make sure I'm getting passing grade (if you know what I'm talking about, you know the struggle). Life can get crazy and it can become extremely difficult to focus on the things that matter most to us. With everything going on it has got me thinking a lot about how important it is to keep our focus on Jesus and the things that matter most to us. It can be so easy to allow things around us to steal our attention away from the things of God, which is why it is so important to find scripture to hang tight to. Scripture instructs, set our eyes on things above and not the things of this world.
In those moments when life happens and the business around us steal our focus, it is so important to find scripture that reminds us to focus on the things of Christ. Along with that, it is important that we surround ourselves with the right people. Scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron and one person sharpens another. We were created for community not isolation.
"For where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am also." - Mathew 18:20
I mentioned last week, how I was struggling with feeling overwhelmed. Nothing was going the way I had hoped and I found myself frustrated with everything. I got to the point where I felt like I was going crazy. I called my mom to talk after having my second flight in a twenty-four hour period canceled. I was trying to get home from a trip and it felt like everything was falling apart. After the second cancelation, they said I would be stuck for three more days, I just wanted to get home and my frustration was definitely evident. After hours on the phone we made it home in two day instead of three. I'm so thankful for all the people who helped get my dad and I home within a week of our initial cancelation. After talking with my mom that day, I was reminded that when life happens all you can really do is smile through it.
I recently looked at a neurological study done many years ago. It was discovered that you cannot be anxious and thankful at the same time. Isn't that incredible! The way God created our brains, it is physically impossible for us to express thankfulness and anxiety at the same time. So next time life happens and you find yourself at wits end, take some time to think about what your thankful for. I hope you all know I'm extremely thankful for all of you.
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling". -1 Peter 4:8-9
It is my prayer that you all would begin to see yourselves the way God see's you. You have so much to offer this world and a future so bright you'll need sunglasses. I am so proud of all of you and I know you can change the world. Please remember you have someone in your corner not matter what comes your way.
So when life stops making sense and it feels like everything is going wrong, remember to smile through it. Keep your head up and remember that you never walk alone. When my week was going the opposite of how I had planned, I found the only thing I could do was smile through it and remember I'm not alone and neither are you.
So remember to smile next time life happens!
Much Love friends,
Alianna