Rain

“When it rains or when it shines it is just a state of mind.”

—The Beatles, “Rain”

Or, as Paul puts it:
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Php 4:11-13

I am a natural pessimist. But I have tried to be an optimist. I have struggled with thinking the most negative thoughts in situations and have made myself switch gears and start thinking of the the best things that could come out of the situation. I still naturally lean towards thinking negatively, but as time has passed, I have gotten a lot better with adjusting, adapting, and changing my thinking to more positive thoughts. 

I suppose ultimately, there is no gain from negative thoughts. Our situations are our situations. So often I try to think ahead of a situation—if A happens, then B will happen, then C will happen and the world will end! But wait, A hasn’t happened yet and we can’t know if it will until later. 

But I think it’s just a way of trying to regain control, of trying to direct my own way, instead of looking to God and following His path. 

I think about the Israelites, lead only by a cloud during the day, not knowing where they were going or when they were getting there. I would have been frantic.

At least, I would have been frantic until I just gave up trying to control and plan and just trusted God every inch, every minute.

It’s actually peaceful to just sit back and let God lead. He knows the way and He is the Light.

This picture was taken after I ran a half marathon in Washington, DC in March of 2015. It was 39F with steady rain the whole race.  I am glad to be smiling in this picture! It was a tough race.