Rain, rain, go away. Don鈥檛 come back for another day鈥� or week; by the way, given the forecast, at least a couple more weeks would be great. Even as I sit in my office typing this article, I continue to stare out at leaden grey skies and bouncing rain on the porch, while staring towards well-hidden islands off our coastline. Add to my discomfort, the power of near gale-force winds that have shut down our ferries鈥o don鈥檛 wonder why I鈥檓 sipping hot tea while wrapped up in a blanket. Poor me.
Feeling sorry for myself or, more generally, for oneself, is a sure road to discouragement. Leaving the subject of weather, there are so many things in life that have the power to take our eyes off what is good, positive and more importantly, the Lord. Our mood darkens and our emotions sink. If there ever is a time when we need to raise our eyes, it鈥檚 during challenging conditions.
(I fully realize and offer empathy to those who suffer from mental illness or depression; indeed, my heart goes out to you and please be assured this article isn鈥檛 meant to offer a 鈥渜uick and easy solution鈥� to those conditions. I鈥檓 simply talking about the matter of feeling sorry for oneself when things don鈥檛 go as we鈥檇 choose.)
While going through cancer treatments years ago, my brother sent me a mug with this inscribed on it: 鈥淲hen things go wrong as they sometimes will. When the road you鈥檙e trudging seems all uphill. When the funds are low and the debts are high and you want to smile but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you want but don鈥檛 you quit.鈥�
Lift your eyes鈥� 鈥淐asting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.鈥� (1 Peter 1:7)
