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31 Days of Calm: Reality Check {Day 13}

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Taking an honest look at how discontentment, distractions, disappointments color our lives gray. @ AVirtuousWoman.org

31 Days of Calm in My Chaos

It’s time for a reality check. This is something I went through this past summer, and I have to say it really improved my outlook on life and I’ve felt much happier.

Discontentment

So, for the last few years I’ve lived in a state of “One day…” thinking that if only things would work out the way I wanted them to I could finally be really happy.

  • If only I had my dream house on 50 acres.
  • If only I didn’t have to care for so many extended elderly family members.
  • If only my husband understood me better.
  • If only, if only, if only…

That’s no way to live! Remember how I shared with you about how at the beginning of 2013 I started praying and asking God to help me find my joy again?

There were a number of extenuating circumstances that led me to feel robbed of my joy. Some of those things were out of my control and I did have valid reasons for being unhappy with some things that were going on.

The other side of that was my own choice to wish for things that were not in God’s plan for my life at this time.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Why would I think that my plans are better than HIS?

Disappointment

Have you ever wished or dreamed for something so badly that it colored your days with gray?

[Tweet “Have you ever wished or dreamed for something so badly that it colored your days gray? “]

It’s okay to have dreams, goals, ideas to work toward. It’s not okay to insist that every dream become a reality right now. It’s not okay to argue with your husband or make his life miserable because you’re not living your idea of what an ideal life is. It’s not okay to wallow in self-pity or anguish because life hasn’t dealt you the hand you asked for.

Disappointments will happen. No one is immune. Don’t allow disappointment to keep you from living your life with purpose. Choose to live a life of gratitude regardless.

Count your blessings. Pay attention to the gifts God has given you right now.

  • Instead of wishing you had more time, do something now to get organized and simplify your life so you aren’t wasting so much time of things that don’t bring you joy.

Those are just some ideas. Only you know where you’re heart is and where your focus is each day.

Also, it’s important that we don’t get so caught up in comparing ourselves to others in real life or online that we are no longer happy with our own lives, our own home, our own family.

In the age of Pinterest and lifestyle blogs is soooo easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to be better, do more, live amazing every day.

There is nothing wrong with being ordinary. A life well lived, however ordinary, is extraordinary when you consider how many people out there are so unhappy.

Happiness is choice. Yes, there are lots of women who struggle with depression or mental illness and if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. But, for most of us, I believe that God can heal us inside and out and he wants to do so! You can choose today to be happy with what you have. Be content.

All you have to do is ask God to heal your heart, help you to see your blessings clearly, and He is faithful and just to do just that! It make take some work on your part, but God can do amazing things with our hearts and minds when we allow Him room to work.

[Tweet “God can do amazing things with our hearts and minds when we allow Him room to work.”]

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV

Discouragement and Despair

Sometimes things happen in life that are justifiably devastating. Grief, sorrow, abuse, pain, sickness… there are so many ways that life can bring us to our knees. Sometimes things happen that really suck the life right out of us.

It’s okay to grieve. When tragic things happen we need to grieve and go through the stages of grief and loss. Jesus weeps with us. He understands our pain.

But at some point we have to put our chin up and march forward, making the decision to live fully again. You are the only one who can live your best life. No one else can do it for you.

[Tweet “You are the only one who can #liveyourbestlife. No one else can do it for you.”]

Maybe your best life doesn’t look like you thought it would. But, if you search for joy in the everyday, you will find it. It’s only when we are blind that we don’t see.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

[Tweet “If you search for #joy in the everyday, you will find it. “]

Today’s Goal: Decide if there are dreams you need to let go. Put those dreams in God’s hands. He knows your heart. He has your best interest in mind and sometimes he’s not saying no, but saying wait. Write down the ways discontentment, disappointment, and discouragement have kept you from living fully with purpose.

Remember this sweet printable “This is My Blessed Life” gratitude journal page that I offered you on Day 3? If you missed it, here it is again!

Of course, it coordinates beautifully with my new “This is My Life” Planners. Enjoy!

FREE! This is My Blessed Life - Gratitude Journal Page for use with This is My Life Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org #planners #freeprintables

How to Download

  1. Follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram if you can. Or Pinterest. Thanks!
  2. Download the .pdf file for “This is My Blessed Life” Journal page here.

Have you been discouraged or discontent? Is there a dream you need to let go?

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