Wow, Christina, I love this. And it's so interesting how similar our most recent posts are. God is really highlighting this theme of gratitude! I provided some gratitude research resources in my last post if it helps! 🙂
WHOA. Alexandria. I just got back from reading your post. That is TWILIGHT ZONE level scary. I feel the need to just clarify that I swear I didn’t read your post and try to knock it off as my own. 😂 The Holy Spirit is clearly sending a message right now! And thank you for the resources! Do you mind if I link to your post in my footnotes to offer people further reading?
Like I can’t believe we both literally ended with a gratitude list. And our segway into toxic positivity (I like how you worded that). Girl I am pickin’ up what you’re throwin’ down. 😂
Back in 2021 I went on a similar journey of discovery to the o e you describe from 2018. And I came away with this. I think that comparison as a tool of competition is always dangerous (if the narrative is “they have it so much better/worse than me” that doesn’t serve anyone).
But comparison can be a very convenient tool to highlight the “goods” in our own lives that we might otherwise overlook (when we actively consider the struggles of those who struggle to put food on their table, it makes every meal we eat seem more beautiful by comparison, etc). And finding and recognizing the good that exists around us is the core of gratitude.
The good things don’t negate the bad, or even outweigh them. That’s not their purpose. They simply need to exist alongside the bad. When we can see them, recognize them, and thank God for them - we are building pathways in our own hearts minds and spirits for joy to enter our lives ❤️
I love how you described “both/and”. I have a very “all or nothing” way of thinking and this tends to get magnified when I am dealing with a bad bout of depression. Jesus gets me through. I may not have all the answers but I know that at times I am sad AND that is okay AND he is by my side always. Grateful for your perspective on topics like this, Christina. Thank you 🙏🏼
Haha yes- I noticed so many eerily similar elements 😂 I love that we're on the same wavelength!
Thank you Christina. You've given me much to ponder.
Thank you as always for reading, Mary!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qBFVbStPDEY
Begin at 7 minutes…Philip Yancey addresses aspects of what you have described.
Phil this podcast episode has blessed me so much this morning. Thank you for sharing it with me!
Will watch this in the morning, Phil! Thank you! ☺️
I’ve been looking for full-time work since I graduated in May And I have a wonderful part time job.
I long for a godly husband AND I have a wonderful community of friends.
I have a physical disability And I have a wonderful case management team that allows me to receive the assistance I need
I love this!!!
Wow, Christina, I love this. And it's so interesting how similar our most recent posts are. God is really highlighting this theme of gratitude! I provided some gratitude research resources in my last post if it helps! 🙂
WHOA. Alexandria. I just got back from reading your post. That is TWILIGHT ZONE level scary. I feel the need to just clarify that I swear I didn’t read your post and try to knock it off as my own. 😂 The Holy Spirit is clearly sending a message right now! And thank you for the resources! Do you mind if I link to your post in my footnotes to offer people further reading?
Hahaha I know right?! He definitely is! Wild! And yes of course. 🙂
Like I can’t believe we both literally ended with a gratitude list. And our segway into toxic positivity (I like how you worded that). Girl I am pickin’ up what you’re throwin’ down. 😂
Yes yes yes!
Back in 2021 I went on a similar journey of discovery to the o e you describe from 2018. And I came away with this. I think that comparison as a tool of competition is always dangerous (if the narrative is “they have it so much better/worse than me” that doesn’t serve anyone).
But comparison can be a very convenient tool to highlight the “goods” in our own lives that we might otherwise overlook (when we actively consider the struggles of those who struggle to put food on their table, it makes every meal we eat seem more beautiful by comparison, etc). And finding and recognizing the good that exists around us is the core of gratitude.
The good things don’t negate the bad, or even outweigh them. That’s not their purpose. They simply need to exist alongside the bad. When we can see them, recognize them, and thank God for them - we are building pathways in our own hearts minds and spirits for joy to enter our lives ❤️
Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤️
This is Soooo good. So much wisdom here. Thank you!!!
I love how you described “both/and”. I have a very “all or nothing” way of thinking and this tends to get magnified when I am dealing with a bad bout of depression. Jesus gets me through. I may not have all the answers but I know that at times I am sad AND that is okay AND he is by my side always. Grateful for your perspective on topics like this, Christina. Thank you 🙏🏼
Haha yes- I noticed so many eerily similar elements 😂 I love that we're on the same wavelength!