Ah, Facebook memories. Sometimes they remind us of not so good times and other times, it’s an interesting trip down memory lane. I’d like to share a memory here that has become a life lesson for me.
Memories can serve as great reminders of lessons learned in life. This memory is about a family trip that ended around the Greenwood exit going south on 49 in Northwest Arkansas.
In January of 2019, my family decided to take a trip down to central Arkansas to visit my parents and some long-time Young Life friends. As we traveled down 49, my Jeep, (I love my Jeep. It’s my dream car), decided to blow it’s water pump. We safely made it to the side of the road and were able to get my brother-in-law to come and rescue us.
Now, it would’ve been very easy to get angry, maybe bitter, for sure irritated because a few hundred bucks were about to go down the drain. But, that’s not what I chose to do that day.
In life moments that have the potential to steal our joy and happiness, I’ve learned over the years to ask myself 3 questions. These questions have guided me through some pretty rough times and I’d like to share them with you.
- What is God revealing to me about Himself?
- What is God revealing to me about me?
- What is the gift?
You see, in all situations, God brings us into these learning opportunities in order that He might show Himself as the One who gives Provision, Protection, and a Plan. Turns out, the weather got pretty sour with ice and snow. Our family was protected from a potentially dangerous road trip and we were able to spend the next day enjoying one another as we played in the snow.
The point? Learn to view difficulties in light of what can be learned and gained, not in spite of, but, because of the situation. Difficulties will always be there. Many times, the level of the difficulty can be determined how we approach that difficulty. They are not an if, but a when and when they do come, you can have your joy stolen or you can live in joy.
I know what I choose.
