A Glass Half Full

Life is tough.  It's not always what you would expect it to be.  It's stressful and exhausting and forever changing.  But in that there are so many moments of joy and blessings that I think we tend to overlook more often than not.


I would say that throughout life I have been a very optimistic person.  I have always tried to see the glass half full, taken joy in the little things, and tried to be an encouragement to those around me.  


Lately, however, this has been a major struggle.  Which oddly enough has created even more stress to my life.  It's like a vicious cycle.  You have your downs and then you see all the ways that you are creating this low for yourself and it causes you to continue to spiral lower.


Now I know I said initially in my first post that I am a Christian.  I firmly believe that we have a God who cares for every aspect of our lives.  Who wants us to have joy and peace while on this earth despite all of the chaos.  And I love Him for it.  


But that is my biggest struggle at this point.  Knowing how blessed I am, (to have a roof over my head, a job that pays the bills, food whenever I want it, a family that loves me, friends who care for me, and a puppy who wants my attention practically every second of the day unless he gets a new treat) and still feeling this way.  And perhaps that is my dilemma.  How can I struggle with happiness when I have all of this?  How can I knowingly know what I know about our Creator and see all His beauty on this Earth and be stuck in my rut?


Clearly, I don't have an answer to these questions.  But writing this out is making it better.  Funny how sometimes just sharing thoughts (to no one) helps to ease the confusion and discomfort.  


I have come to realize in this life change is inevitable.  Change hurts, its uncomfortable, it makes us uneasy, it takes work, but - it makes us so much stronger.  And despite this unavoidable change, we have a God is never changes and always stays the same.  Change may be scary - but how can we be scared when God never leaves our side.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  (Heb. 13:5).  This is what He promises.  I am never alone in this life despite how alone I feel because God is faithful.  He loves me for exactly who I am, with all my mistakes and downfalls, knowing this is who I would become, and yet He loves me for it.  That is a comfort I am willing to live for.  That is a God I am willing to serve.  One who holds love above all.  "These three things will continue forever: faith, hope and love.  And the greatest of these is love." (1 Corin. 13:13) 


So I guess in the end, when we look at the big scheme of things, and we always have God there to fall back on, how can the glass not be half full?