Good morning! How are you faithing today? Has this week started as a burden? Do you feel overwhelmed already? Look here folks, I don't want to throw a bunch of cliche's out but really, it could be worse. A friend was bummed when a flat tire occurred but looking on the up side, she may have avoided a crash further down the road. I've had that happen to me. Another friend told me of a time his motorcycle, which was in tip top shape, shut off while he was riding home. It wouldn't start for a time and when it finally did, he got home to find out his grandpa had passed away during that breakdown. He to this day says he wasn't suppose to witness that death. I'm not saying to be happy go lucky but to seek something bigger than your circumstances. This, whatever that has befallen you, may be a teachable moment and if you are crabbing or crying over the spilled milk you may miss the critter that showed up to lap it up. Positive thinking is not just "everything is beautiful" thinking but taking the lumps with an attitude of learning and a view from other than the hurt. After the initial waa waa, stop and think about the circumstance and what you are suppose to learn. Look around and pay attention to things beyond your immediate woes. I picture myself behind a huge tree sometimes but always am able to peek around it to see what is beyond this obstacle so then I can say, "ah, ok Lord, teach me, keep my mind clear and open to your will". Then there's those times I can't see a thing because of the fog of the situation and then I have to trust something bigger is taking place and I just don't see it and that is cool too. How do you see things?

1 Thess 5:1-11
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for things that take place in our lives. Open our eyes to truth and what we need to learn and to glean from events. Lord we want to be lights for your greatness but we get mired in this worlds woes. Help us focus where we need to focus and to have the mindset of learning rather than pity parties. Lord we lift those hurting today and those who are struggling with their circumstances. Grant us the wisdom that sets our minds at peace. In Jesus name, amen