Is There an Really an Easy Button?

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise shall always be on my lips. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are not covered with shame. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.”

~ Psalms 34:1-8

Have you ever found yourself in a season of hurt and pain, feeling like it's impossible to experience joy? It's easy to become consumed by negative emotions and believe that happiness is out of reach. However, even in the darkest of times, there are opportunities for joy and gratitude.

The Myth of All-or-Nothing Emotions

One common misconception is that we can only experience one emotion at a time. We often feel pressured to either wallow in sorrow or force ourselves to be cheerful. We think that to find joy in a hard time suddenly negates the validity of the hard time or the hurt we are trying to process. But the truth is, it's perfectly normal to experience a mix of emotions, including joy and pain, simultaneously.

So Where Does Gratitude Come into all of this?

Gratitude can be a powerful tool for finding joy, even in the midst of suffering. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we can shift our perspective and cultivate a sense of peace and contentment.

Seek to Find Joy in the Everyday

I read this quote in a devotional I'm working through and wrote it down: 'A hard season doesn't mean that every day has to be hard.'

In seasons of hurt and pain, we're afraid to let our guards down because we're trying to protect our hearts from further damage. If something is broken, feeling any level of joy at all seems to almost trivialize the hurt we feel. Then you read a quote like this, and it makes you think. Why can't I have moments of joy? Can sorrow and celebration coexist? Part of the pain processing is learning to see beautiful things again. You may be hurt, but it doesn't mean you can't find things to thank God for while sorting out your junk.

I recently experienced this firsthand. After a particularly difficult night, I woke up feeling drained and unmotivated. Instead of dwelling on my pain, my struggle to quiet my mind the night before, and the overwhelming reason why I did not want to get out of bed and face the day, I decided to focus on shifting the reason.

I took a moment and appreciated the softness of my bed, the warmth of my blankets, and the comfort of my surroundings. I focused on the feel of fabric of the blankets and the softness of the pillows. I slowly swirled my legs around and felt the coolness of the sheets against my skin and thanked God for such a safe place to sleep and how I wanted “to stay here forever." In an odd way, I even found myself grateful for the pain I had endured, as it allowed me fall asleep talking it out with God, and like a child who falls asleep in the arms of his father, I woke up to appreciate the beauty of a, limited but restful sleep.

Even the smallest inconveniences can provide opportunities for gratitude. On the way out into the hallway, I stubbed my toe against the doorframe. Instead of getting angry, I thought about how hard I worked to teach myself how to make such a solid doorframe. Its structural design impressed me all over again. I may not do a lot of things well, but let me tell ya’, I can build a door frame!!! It's a masterful feat of carpentry that will no doubt be taught in schools of building for centuries. This thing is awesome!

A delicious cup of coffee, a beautiful sunset, or a kind gesture from a friend can all bring a smile to your face and lift your spirits. Watch something you find funny, and then allow yourself to laugh. If something makes you want to smile, it’s ok to let yourself smile.

I stopped and bought flowers on the way home to put on the counter in the kitchen, just because I wanted to remind everyone in the house, a hard season doesn't mean every day has to be hard. Enjoy the beauty every time you walk in the kitchen.

I placed some flowers in little vases beside the beds in the house to remind the ones who wake up under this roof that beauty can still be found here.

Conclusion

Remember, a hard season doesn't mean that every day has to be hard. By cultivating gratitude and finding joy in the small things, we can begin to heal and move forward. So, the next time you're feeling down, take a moment to look for the beauty around you and appreciate the blessings in your life.

I love how Lysa TerKeurst words this,

“Seeing beautiful again is that flicker of unexplainable peace. It’s a reminder that this big and sometimes scary world still has a touch of God on it in the presence of God in it. We got is, beautiful can always be found.

Seeing beautiful is realizing how much intentionality God puts in the smallest details in nature and, knowing he’s just as intentional with a good plan for my life as well. Seeing beautiful is intentionally, remembering the goodness and faithfulness of God.”

I close tonight out with this prayer. “God, thank you for letting me find the flowers tonight! They meant more to me than I think I will ever be able to fully express to you. I’m glad you can see my ❤️ You know what I’m trying to say. I love you.”

~ Daniel

  (P.S. Walmart has a good deal on flowers 😍)