Focusing On the Good
One of the reasons why blindness is so challenging is because I literally cannot get away from it.
It is something that cannot be fixed with a dose of Advil, a good night of sleep or a quick visit to the doctor.
It is always there, always debilitating, and always a challenge.
Can you relate?
Do you have a “thorn in the flesh” that seems to be stinging you with every step forward?
Maybe it is a chronic sickness, an empty space in your life left by some sort of loss, or a hard situation at work that seems to have no end.
Like Paul’s own thorn mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12, such hindrances can bring various hardships and feelings of hopelessness.
Thorns in front of a blurred, blue sky.
Very soon after losing my sight, I realized an important truth…If I dwell on the fact that I cannot see, I will never be able to move forward, find happiness, or live a content life.
In spite of my disability, I had to focus on what I could still do instead of focusing on what I could not.
When we face hardships, it is so easy to fall into the rut of dwelling on the bad.
However, with a little change of perspective, we can see that, even in the midst of trials, there is still good all around us.
Philippians 4:8 says,
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is condemnable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Our thoughts have the power to greatly impact how we feel, relate to others, and our whole outlook on life.
Furthermore, when we dwell on the bad, it gives the enemy more ammunition to compound those negative feelings and leave us feeling more and more hopeless.
However, if we transform and take hold of our thoughts, and fix them on Christ, His attributes, and His commands for us, change will soon begin to occur.
As Jesus says in Luke 6:43,
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit”
Likewise, a mind that is focused on positivity and Christ will produce actions, words, and a mindset that is also focused on Christ.
An open Bible with pages flipping in the wind with sunshine beaming onto the Bible.
For me, focusing on the good instead of the bad means putting my energy into dwelling on what I can still accomplish without my sight, learning those skills, and drawing on God’s strength and love for me.
This last piece of “good” is the best piece to hold on to in times of trouble and hardship because as the Lord tells Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 regarding his “thorn in the flesh…
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
I challenge you to focus on the good today.
No matter what that looks like for you. It may be that you simply were able to get out of bed this morning.
Praise God!
Or that your moody teenager gave you a hint of a smile on the way to school.
Hallelujah!
Or maybe you finally mustered up the courage to reach out to a friend for a helping hand.
If nothing else, remember the ultimate good in any bad situation, God is on your side, and His strength is powerful enough to hold you up through any trial.
Text that says, "This blog is sponsored by:"
David Pollard at Raymond James Partners Financial Group, which specializes in helping families and businesses manage their investments so that they can spend their time where it matters most.
Tillman Eye Center, which serves Carrollton, GA with a wide range of optometry services in a professional and comfortable environment with staff who care.
Plaza Home Care, a medical supply and equipment company located in downtown Villa Rica, where they are big enough to serve you and small enough to care about you. Plaza Home Care is committed to providing you and your family with quality medical equipment, such as CPAP compression hoses, walkers, lift chairs, and more. The staff are sure to earn your trust as they listen to your needs, follow through on their word, and provide uncompromising levels of customer care.
