A turnaround is in your future
At least once a month, I work with a local animal rescue group and we plan community pet adoption events to help find loving homes for the puppies and dogs in the shelter. At the events, it’s heartwarming to see these sweet rescue animals be adopted into a loving family and get a safe home that the animal deserves.
Many of these puppies and dogs may have had a rough start in life. But once a caring family adopts the animal, it seems as if all of the animal’s past challenges are erased away and they have a new beginning.
Likewise, it doesn’t matter where you start in life that counts. It is what you do from here that matters.
Sometimes, it may look like the end; but your best days are still out in front of you. Do you take a failure or a setback personally? Well, as an alternative, what if I asked you to view it as a temporary, isolated incident and then optimistically focus on what’s to come. So, put behind you the unjust hurts, bad breaks, and personal weaknesses that may tend to dominate your mind. Don’t be disheartened and think, “It’s too late for me now,” “My goals will never happen,” or “I’ve been through too much pain,” until you’re ready to give up your utmost dreams and goals for your future.
You do not have to spend your days overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. Instead, reflect on gratitude and what brings you joy, centering your attention on everything that’s right and positive in your life. A reader wrote, “Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles, that we forget to count our blessings.”
So, together, let’s try this little experiment. Take out a pen and a sheet of paper, make four columns, and at the top of each column write: my blessings, Godgiven strengths, accomplishments and goals for the future.
Now, underneath each column, compile your ‘list.’ Take your time, as you ponder on your countless blessings, individual talents, the doors that God has opened for you in the past, and your glorious hopes and dreams yet to be. To start, record at least five ‘blessings,’ five of your ‘strengths,’ five ‘accomplishments’ and a minimum of five ‘goals for the future,’ on your list.
Remember, that just because some things have not worked out yesterday, it doesn’t mean they won’t tomorrow. Believe your miracle can happen. For with God’s help and guidance, you can go forth into the days and weeks to come with great hope that “all things are possible.” After you finish composing your list, reread it, and after that, set it down on the table and thank God for all He has done for you. Regardless of what has taken place in the past, this is a new time, and a new day. A new beginning is on its way, filled with peace, joy and fulfillment.
In 1929, the economic downturn of The Great Depression caused a major financial disaster for businessman, James Cash Penney. Through bad investments in realestate and banking, I read where the strain of the financial collapse took its toll on the 56-year-old entrepreneur’s health. Weakened in mind, body and spirit, Penney was filled with despair and was soon hospitalized.
It seemed as though his plans, his dreams and his life were finished. Yet, you can’t keep a good, honorable person down, for God can send people in our direction to help us overcome difficulties. Or He can send inspirational thoughts or words our way that speak to our hearts, allowing us to have the strength to rise up again.
One day, while Penney was being treated in the hospital, he heard some music coming from the hospital’s small chapel. The encouraging words of the melody caught his attention: “Be not dismayed, what-e’er betide. God will take care of you…”
Hearing these words was a turning point in Penney’s life. He felt the hope of God. And almost instantaneously, the businessman was lifted from hopelessness to hopefulness, from inner turmoil to quiet trust and thankfulness. For there was no healing for Penney without gratitude.
Thereafter, Penney decided to start over. He went back to work. And before long, he was able to regain control of his empire, and the J.C. Penney’s chain of department stores became one of the most successful retail establishments in America. Moreover, Penney gave millions to charities around the globe.
Later, when J.C Penney reflected on his life, he said, “I believe in adherence to the Golden Rule, faith in God and the country. If I were a young man again, those would be my cardinal principles.”
God had a new start for J.C Penney and likewise, He has another dream and more victories in store for you. You may be in a situation that doesn’t look good. But like the puppies at my pet adoption events, in an instant, there can be a turnaround.
My wish for you, dear readers is, “The Lord may bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26). Similar to a lit candle, every one of us has a glowing flame, a bright hope and a future with which to impact the lives of others. Don’t let anyone or anything extinguish that bright light. There’s so much more before you. Dare to believe, remembering that God is with you in all that you do. There is no limit to what God can do in your life. Believe it. God wants to bless you, and He wants to increase you. Keep persisting.
Today can be a breakthrough day. A turnaround is in your future.