Embrace Today: Choose Joy!
Incessant nausea and exhaustion during the first half of pregnancy is not something I'd ever pick for myself, if given a choice. Make no mistake, I love being a mom and am more than willing to go through this ten times over because the reward at the end is so worth it.However, the last two pregnancies I spent a lot of time wishing I could fast-forward to the end of the nine months--or at least to the end of the first twenty weeks. Wish as I might, though, there is no fast forward button on life. I can either muddle through this difficult season with a grumbling attitude, or I can choose, by God's grace, to embrace today--nausea and all!
And so, I've landed upon a new motto for this pregnancy: "Embrace today!"
Choosing to cheerfully endure and make the most of this season won't necessarily mean that it goes by any quicker or with less nausea, but a joyful spirit in the midst of it certainly won't hurt anything!
Maybe you're not experiencing morning sickness today, but I'm sure every one of you is going through some sort of trial. Perhaps you are struggling with infertility or the recent loss of a child and you would love more than anything to be in my place. Or perhaps you are going through financial difficulties, or family struggles, or misunderstanding, disappointment, heartache, or hurt.
Whatever the season and struggle, I want to encourage you to commit to choose joy in the midst of difficulty. Ask the Lord to fill you up with true peace and joy in Him--in spite of trying circumstances. He is faithful to provide exactly what we need, when we need it. Look to Him!
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places..." Habbakkuk 3:17-19a
"...The joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b
Graphic from AllPosters.com
Labels: Encouragement, Pregnancy and childbirth
posted by Crystal Paine at 11:30 AM
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