choices – Page 4 – Talking Among Friends

The Reality of Faith, Trust, and a Positive Attitude

I’m a big believer in having a positive attitude. I believe that your attitude can get you through life’s tough times….or it can defeat you.

But what happens when your world stops?

There are times in your life when your immediate world shifts on its axis, while the rest of the world moves on.

Right now, in the midst of the pandemic, there are many who are dealing with their own personal crisis: the death of a loved one, a scary diagnosis, the loss of a job, just to name a few. Their worlds have stopped, while the rest of us have continued on. It’s a strange place to be.

Today, my husband and I find ourselves in a life-halting situation. And it seems to be affecting our attitude about our jobs and our faith. It’s very disconcerting.

But as I’ve been thinking and praying and wrestling with this situation, I keep seeing a similar message via my Bible study, morning devotional, and even Facebook memes. It’s the overall message to trust God. He’s in control, He has a plan, and He’s walking with us.

While that message is comforting, it has also occurred to me that as much as I think I’m a faithful person, I have to ask the question: Do I really trust God?

Do I trust him only in times of crisis? Or do I praise him only in the good times and act like he’s deserted us when the tough times come? Aren’t we supposed to believe in Him 100% of the time? The easy answer is YES! But it’s not so easy all the time, is it?

I’m learning that God doesn’t want us to turn to him only in times of trouble, whether personal or world catastrophe. He wants us to turn to him in everyday life. Every day. Not just some days.

Times are hard right now, no doubt. I’m wrestling with the future, with difficult decisions that need to be made, and yes, I’m a little scared of what lies ahead of us. It looks like there are some tough days coming. But every day, I need to ask myself how is my attitude or my fear interfering with my trust in God?

Like I said earlier, I’m a big believer in a positive attitude. How we deal with the curve balls can make things easier or more difficult. A positive attitude, to me, stems from a positive faith in God.

Truthfully, I’m not all the way there with my attitude. Fear seems to be winning at the moment. Anxiety is clouding the way. So, right now, it’s even more important to get back on the path. To trust in God’s way. To allow Him to bring wisdom and peace. It may take me a little time, but I know I’ll keep pushing ahead. It takes a daily effort and a daily attitude check.

How about you? Do you have any advice on how to deal with tough times? Do you believe you’re trusting God always, all day?

I Feel Like A Fraud

I feel like a fraud.

Have you ever had those days where not much goes right, or you receive startling news, or well, you’re just having a bad day?

It’s during those times that we’re supposed to have faith, trust God, face things with a smile on your face, right? Yeah, well…(insert eye roll here). I’m failing miserably at facing things with a smile.

I’ve had a tough couple of days and I’ve let out my frustration with anger and fear. Not being prayerful, not even calming down enough to take a breath and get a handle on the situation.

That’s not like me. As my husband and kids will tell you, I’m not one to yell. I don’t like arguments. If I’m upset about something, it’s best to leave me alone for a few minutes, until I can settle down and we can talk things through calmly. I don’t like harsh words spoken that we can’t retract.

As someone who has been writing about having hope and staying positive, well, I’ve done neither of those this past week. That makes me feel like a hypocrite and a fraud.

But I’m not. I’ve had a few bad days. I was thrown a curve ball and didn’t handle it well, but that doesn’t have to blow everything for me. It doesn’t mean God isn’t still working. And it doesn’t mean that I will continue to have bad days. It does mean, however, that I need to take a breath, calm myself, and dive right back into my faith, into Scripture and try to right myself.

We are living in uncertain times and I don’t know what the days or months ahead are going to look like. I have moments of trepidation for what the future holds for me. However, I don’t have to spiral down into a pit of despair, anger and frustration. I’m a flawed human being, and have emotions that get the best of me sometimes. But I’m not a fraud. I’m just human. And I can right the ship, take a breath and start all over again.

How about you? Do you have times where you don’t handle things well? How do you get back on track? I’d love to hear from you.

Living Fearlessly

It’s not easy to live a fearless life – but isn’t that something we all long to do — live fearlessly?

I’m reading through Psalms right now, and I can’t stop thinking about Psalm 112, particularly verses 7-8 (NLT): “They do not fear bad news, they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.”

We all want to have a life without fear, but that doesn’t seem possible, especially in the year 2020. With a pandemic, anger, a lack of respect or kindness for one another…how can we not be afraid?

It’s almost automatic to get caught up in the “what if” game. What if I get Covid? What if the pandemic gets worse instead of better? What if we never see an end to this pandemic? What if I express my thoughts about the unrest in the United States right now? What if I stay silent? What if everyone stays angry? What if this is the new normal? What if I never feel safe again?

These questions swirl in our minds, with no quick answers forthcoming. This leads to worry, even panic, and to letting fear win.

As I mentioned last week, I’ve had to shut off the news and turn to my Bible. Despite the craziness of the world right now, one thing stays the same: the Word of God. He’s still here, rock steady, like the highest mountain. It may be hard to feel His presence, but He’s here.

I’m reminded to put my focus on Him, to have faith. Those who have faith can do what Psalm 112 says – we can confidently trust the Lord, and be confident and fearless.

I’m the first to admit that his is much easier said than done. But in taking daily quiet times, and focusing on the unchanging word of God, then I can face today with confidence. I know He walks with me, even if I can’t feel Him.

Now’s the time to dig deep with your faith, to adjust your attitude, and to live with confidence, not fear.

Attitude: It’s Your Choice (Video and Text)

Choosing a Positive Attitude

Video Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qwez3ye7cvtffau/20200618_150631.mp4?dl=0

Text from Video:

Hi everyone. The last few weeks on TalkingAmongFriends.com, I’ve wrestled with the choices we make. Whether we choose to have hope or despair, and whether we’re choosing to listen, or we’re choosing to lash out in anger. And these choices are hard when the mood of the country is just so volcanic right now. Things are in such flux between the pandemic, and the riots, and the protests. It’s a difficult time. It’s a difficult time to have a positive attitude and I’m a big believer in attitude.

To me, attitude has always been half the battle. It helped me overcome a motorcycle accident in my younger, wilder days. It helped me overcome from cancer twice. I’m not saying it’s just my attitude alone. It’s prayer, and it’s God’s grace and bringing the right people into my life at the right time.

But attitude helps finding that resolve, finding that strength, finding a way to stay positive, even in the midst of all this chaos. I think it’s so important. If you’re lacking that positive attitude then pray about it, really think about it. Think about how you’re reacting to things and try to make the conscious choice to be positive, and to choose hope.

Stay well, my friends. We’ll talk to you soon. Thanks.

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