Life is full of ups and downs as you all know. I, myself, tend to dwell on the downs, getting easily discouraged and focusing on obstacles rather than opportunities. Being in Haiti has magnified this problem, as there are so many challenges and daily struggles. Everything here is so much more complicated and takes five more steps than it would back at home.
Recently I realized how negative my thoughts have been, and how much I was dwelling on how tough things are and how much I missed everything back at home. Then one morning I got a bit of a wake-up call. I was reading the book of Numbers in my Bible. The Israelites were traveling through the wilderness to the promised land. God had led their every step, and was providing for all their needs. Yes things were tough and uncomfortable, but God was with them and never left their side. The Israelites began complaining to the Lord about their “hardships.” As I was reading, I could completely insert the thoughts I’d been having about Haiti into the text:
Numbers 11:4 – Haiti version
“Oh, for some meat. I remember all the great hamburgers we used to eat in Minnesota. We had all the pickles, onions, French fries, and soda that we wanted. But now our appetites are gone and day after day we have nothing to eat but these rice and beans… I wish I had stayed in the United States…”
The chapter goes on, and I easily continued to insert my own thoughts about Haiti into the story. Well, if you know what happened next, God was not happy. It says that when He heard them, “his anger blazed against them.” Fire from the Lord raged among them and destroyed their camp. God does not like complaining.
So then I thought, well, how do I stop complaining and thinking about the negative? My situation is not going to change any time soon, but my attitude needs to! I remembered the book Robinson Crusoe, where a man is stranded on a deserted island with little to no hope of rescue. He decided that instead of falling into the trap of self-pity, he would force himself to look for the positive side of his situation and make the most of it. So he made a list of every negative, bad, complaining thought that he had, and then on the opposite side of the paper, he wrote down the positive side of the situation. So I tried that:
- I miss going out to eat at my favorite restaurants … At least I have food to eat and even a cook to make it for me!
- I miss my family and friends … At least I can talk to them on the phone and connect through email. Also, there are many new people here to make friends with, and they are taking care of us as though we are family.
- It’s just plain hard to be here doing what we’re doing … Jesus said that if we truly want to follow him, we must take up our crosses. His cause will involve suffering and discomfort. But what an honor it is then to be here “suffering” for Christ.
I’m sorry that this blog is long, but I hope it can encourage anyone who is feeling down or in a rough spot in life. Try to focus on the positive, thanking God for what you do have, rather than grumbling about what’s difficult. I’m not saying that everything will be easy all the sudden, but maybe a little more bearable. Here’s a little song that is also helpful:
13 responses to “You Gotta Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive…”
Wonderful post and very timely. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 Keep on keepin’ on. You and your wife are doing a wonderful thing for Him.
Thank you Kim for the comment and encouragement!!
Accentuate the positive AND laugh often, no matter what. You guys are doing wonderful work!
Melissa, Your message gave me an instant lift. I am heading home from a very long day at work with a much better attitude now that I have read your blog. Thanks…
Melissa,
Every day is a struggle for me. I have to always remember that no matter how bad I “think” things are for me, that God has a plan and I am blessed because of this. The other day I posted this “I am tired of trying to make sense out of senseless things. I will put it in God’s hands where it belonged in the first place.” You and Ryan are making a difference in people’s lives. What more could you ask for. I love you both and am very proud of you. Stay positive and keep smiling…
Thanks for such an honest post! It can be easy to try and put a positive spin on things and hide the reality of how hard life is sometimes. It is good for you to share, and for us to hear, that what you are doing is not easy.
I recently read an article about a family that had lost a young son to cancer. The mother had a very insightful quote that I printed and have on my fridge.
She said (paraphrased) “Look for blessings that come from times of trial…The outpouring of God’s love through people around you, God’s provisions for your needs from places you never would have imagined and the hyper-sensitivity to what is truly important in this life. Those things do not come to us in times of peace and prosperity, do they?”
Take Care!
Melissa, Thank you for your honesty. Whenever I start to feel anxious or feel like complaining about something all I have to do is remember where you are and the conditions of the people of Haiti. Suddenly I find myself thanking God for his many provisions and praying for the people who are truly suffering.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…
Prying for you two, with assurance that God is in control.
Great verse! Thank you for the continued prayers! Very exciting that you have a scheduled flight down here!
Thanks for the updates. My life verse is II Cor. 4:16-18. It gives perspective to our hardships. I have memorized it, to constantly keep Christ in the forefront of my day. Search for the positive in everything and you will find it!
Jason – Great verse! Going to post it for others to read as well!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are a being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
As I was thinking of you the other day, I was wondering if homesickness had hit you yet. It sounds like that is what is happening to you. We all grumble and complain about circumstances in our lives, so don’t get too down on yourself. It is part of our fallen nature. The good thing is that you are open to God’s leading and speaking to you so directly and you acted on it immediately.
Sounds like you could use a ‘care package’. Send me a list and an address, OK?
Thanks for the honest post, very understandable. Also, thanks for sharing God’s encouragement.
Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
I like Eunice’s idea of a care package. Are there things that we can send you? Please let us know!
Love you Kiki! Sending prayers, hugs, and kisses your way! Bet your missing green french toast too……I bet the cook would try to make that if you asked….then maybe you could eat it on the chimmney….(don’t know if I spelled that right spelling queen.) Miss you tons! Keep up the great work.
Love
Chicken