Good days and bad days

You can even find beauty in a dead leaf. Just look at the different hues of color.

You know, surprisingly, there is alot of criticism going out to those who are labeled as "optimistic" or "positive" people. I've heard it many times. As soon as something positive comes out of your mouth, there's usually someone there to bring up the negative.

"You just wait. Your turn will come."
"Wake up and smell the real world."
"Someday, you'll come around."
"I've heard that before."
"Ignorance is bliss."
"Too good to be true."
"Don't get too excited."

It's almost like people don't want you to be positive, or perhaps they think that your positivity is somehow a tool you're using to make them feel bad about being negative. Or maybe they're trying to help you get a grip on "reality". Frankly, our "reality" is marred in such a way that can definitely benefit from a little positivity.

I have always considered myself to be a positive person. I choose to think the best about people, I don't hold grudges, and I make thankfulness a habit in my life. That being said, I do have bad days just like everyone else. I don't go talking about it on facebook, and I don't bring it up in conversation unless I really feel I need to. My life is not perfect..but focusing on that will never help me succeed. Just because you speak positive words in the midst of your difficult circumstances doesn't make you fake or ignorant. It only makes the negative things temporary in your mind. Negative circumstances should never be treated like they're the norm or like they're a permanent "resident". There's no way I'm going to live and walk in that mess. Doesn't mean my circumstances have to change first...it means I have to change first.

So I have a bad day every so often...SO WHAT? I can either choose to soak it up, bathe in it and make it a part of me, or I can choose to rise above it, recognizing that it's only temporary and I will not own it. And if I need to acknowledge it or "vent", why not vent to God? And at the same time recognize that He is the One who gives me strength to not be ruled by what surrounds me. I'm just sayin'.

I understand that sometimes the circumstances may be screaming at us. At times, it may be extremely difficult to focus on good things when everything around is bad. I get that. After all, how can you choose to be happy when you're not choosing for these bad things to happen to you? I guess this is where faith would come in. Do you know that we can have facts put in front of us...facts that seem real...situations that seem impossible...illnesses...money problems....family issues......broken relationships...........
...and even as real as all that seems, there is a position that is even more real. A place you can live in - a secret place of complete trust in God that everything will turn out good. Don't attack me for saying that. I am speaking truth. I believe God wants the very best for us. I believe and I trust that His perfect will is abundance in all areas of life, right down to the smallest detail. I also believe it's a choice to walk in complete trust or try to go it on your own.

I'm choosing to have a good day today.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91