A Surprising Exercise

Spiritual exercise, that is...


Did you think I meant physical?  
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Sorry, had to clean up the coffee that I spit out after laughing!  No, no...running after Abigail is my exercise!


My Bible study group is reading two books: Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow and Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe.  (Both of which I've raved about multiple times!!!)  It's my second time to thoroughly study Calm My Anxious Heart.  I've read the book so many times that I use a different color ink to take notes each time I read it.  In 2005 I used a blue pen.  In 2008 I used a black pen.  Now I'm using a green pen.  I note in the front which color is when- and what's going on in my life.  


But I digress...


In the chapter about focusing on positive, we were instructed to make a list of the positives and negatives in our life.  It sounded like such an elementary exercise that I almost skipped it thinking I could do it in my head.  But, a teacher at heart, I do like to follow directions, so I got out my journal and started my list.  


I started with the negatives.  I was surprised how much I had to think about it.  I filled in a few, then left some blank lines, thinking surely I can come up with more than that!


I moved on to the positives, filling up an entire page.  I read over my list and was satisfied, and more than a little impressed with how many positives compared to negatives I have.  What struck me the most was how I get stuck in the negatives- but there are so few!!!  

In fact, the Lord showed me that it's the petty day-to-day details that I often get caught up in and this is Satan's tool to distract me from what really matters.

Last week and this week my Marriage Monday quality to focus on is being positive.  I have SO much to be grateful for- why get caught up in the daily hassles and annoyances of life?  I will NOT let them steal my joy anymore.  


But that wasn't the biggest surprise.  


The biggest surprise was a few days later.  I suddenly realized that I hadn't included infertility on my negative list.   It hadn't even occurred to me!  What used to be the biggest negative in my life is suddenly not even on the front of my mind!  In fact, I'm quite grateful for our infertility leading us to Abigail!  What an incredible blessing to see how He has healed my heart and turned my mourning into dancing.  Once again, I am in awe of the healing hand of God!!!


♚ O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.  ~ Psalm 30:2
♚ He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. ~ Psalms 147:3
 ♚ Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. ~ Hosea 6:1
  
I highly encourage you to journal your own list of positives and negatives.  Which list has you preoccupied these days?  Can you prayerfully commit this to the Lord?