Just Roll With It!

They were young... 22 years old. He was her high school sweetheart, they married shortly after she graduated, and they had their whole lives ahead of them. He was just finishing up his service in the military, and they were ready to start a family and conquer the world together. In just an instant, though, their whole life was changed. A severe car wreck left her injured and him near death. He pulled through, but days turned into weeks of recovery. Weeks turned into months, and now months have turned into a year and a half. This horrific accident left him with traumatic brain injury, among his long list of injuries, and his brain now functions like a child. Her hero, her protector, her big strong military man... and now she has to feed him, bathe him, dress him, and raise him.

As she is a dear friend of mine, I will not mention her name without first asking her permission. But this incredible young woman did not give in to the cards she had been dealt. She fought, and she continues to fight... HARD. She cheers on her husband for every advancement he makes, activities he performs that you and I take for granted. She stands by his side through it all, and she still has a love for him that can be seen from miles away. Her faith in God is strong, and her message is even stronger. She doesn't preach. She doesn't have to. This woman epitomizes Christian living, and she is the closest thing you will meet to the woman described in Proverbs 31. She is the perfect example of what we should all strive to be.

In this situation, many people would give up. Her attitude and outlook on her situation have pulled her through. She holds close Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Think about today's motivational saying: "Although fate presents the circumstances, how you react depends on your character." What circumstances have you been presented recently? Or maybe there is something from your past that you are still struggling to conquer. Is there someone who is doing you wrong? Perhaps you are watching someone you love being mistreated. Or maybe you have been dealt circumstances similar to the girl in this post, and you're struggling with pulling yourself through. Life can be hard. We all have ups and downs. Facing life's difficulties with a positive attitude, strong character, and unwavering faith in God, though, will help you truly enjoy life... even with all it's pitfalls. And only then will you be able to CONQUER LIFE!!

Choose Life

"Hypochondriac: A person who has hypochondriasis, a disorder characterized by a preoccupation with body functions and the interpretation of normal body sensations (such as sweating) or minor abnormalities (such as minor aches and pains) as portending problems of major medical moment. Reassurance by physicians and others only serves to increase the hypochondriac's persistent anxiety about their health." (Source: MedicineNet.com)

Do you know somebody like this? Somebody who is so afraid of dying that they constantly look for a medical problem within themselves? All the while, they are missing out on the opportunities open to them here on earth.

Hypochondriacs are the extreme case of this problem, but how many times have you been so preoccupied with death that you didn't really live? Look at your life now. Can you honestly say that you are living, or do you catch yourself thinking, "As soon as ___________ happens, I will really live." How about, "I will be so happy when ____________ happens." Or "I'm just passing time until _________."

What is holding you back from truly living? Do you think it's money? Fame? The perfect relationship? Success in business? A promotion? A child? Retirement?

If you answered yes to any of these, then you will never truly live. If you are not living, the only thing holding you back is your attitude. As the saying goes, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." Which do you choose?

Enthusiastically Optimistic

"My Bible assures me that my past is forgiven AND forgotten. That takes care of my past. Jesus Christ said, 'I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.' That takes care of the present. John 3:16 assures me I will have everlasting life. That takes care of my future. With my past forgiven, my present secure, and my future irrevocably guaranteed, why shouldn't I be enthusiastically optimistic?"  ~ Zig Ziglar in See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition

Zig Ziglar is top-notch when it comes to motivational, inspirational and Christian living. How can you argue this statement? God put you on this earth. He is so loving and forgiving that, regardless of what your past holds, He will forgive you. You can truly let the past be in the past and move on with your life. He holds your life in His precious hands, so there is no reason to stress about your present. He wants you to be happy and live abundantly. If you believe in Him and put your whole faith in Him, he promises you everlasting life. As Ziglar says, why should you not be enthusiastically optimistic? Live your life, love your life, and conquer your life.