Presence

Lord, thank you for being my companion on life’s journey, each day, and in each moment, including this one. Help me to tune in to your presence now…

Scripture

James 1:2-4

² My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.

Reflection

Our bodies produce the same endorphins when we are anxious as when we are excited. We choose to label what we’re feeling as anxiety or excitement. How different life would be if we were excited rather than anxious about that upcoming interview, that presentation we have to make at work, that important meeting we have. When things go wrong, it’s easy to spiral. To get so caught up in the disaster that we see it as a trial rather than as a blessing. What if we viewed these setbacks as lessons to be learned, lessons that will stand to us in the future? Wouldn’t this make a huge difference? Think back to something that went horribly wrong for you. Remember how you felt. In hindsight, see what lessons you learned from that experience.

Closing prayer

Dear God, help me reframe what is happening in my life so that I see the blessing in the strife, the lesson in the turmoil, the joy in the trial. Help me to live my faith.  Amen