How I turned bitterness into thankfulness, hard lessons into greater knowledge, and hard times into a season of growth.
Here’s to turning bitterness into thankfulness.
I’ve actually learned so much during 2020 and I’ve grown to be thankful for it.
Though this year was not what I expected (or what anyone could’ve expected for that matter), it’s given me a chance to finally relearn how to ~rest~. This season has given me a chance to unwind, process, and reset, which I didn’t even know I was so desperately needing after overworking myself through both high school and college. I’ve been given the time to slow down and pick up some hobbies that I never had time for in the past. I started reading again (knowledge is power), watching shows and movies again (I literally was never “in the know” of the latest entertainment gossip bc I never felt like I had the time to sit down and watch a 30 min. show. If I had 30 min. I would take a nap!), and I started trying new things in the kitchen (not the greatest chef yet, but patience is a virtue they say!).
I think that, collectively, this time has been much of a spiritual awakening. Realizing that when you take way all the distractions, what’s left? Oh wait, I’m really not in control!? And do I trust the one who is? Peace is only found leaning on our good God, when everything seems so out of control, knowing He’s got it.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
I know many of you, like myself, have lost loved ones and witnessed the pain of death during this season. For me, it’s been a reminder that life is short, that health is fragile, to love the ones around you, and to forgive those who’ve wronged you.
It’s been a season of learning, listening, and moving towards change. Learning about issues, like racial injustice, global human slavery, abortion, child pornographic exploitation, sex trafficking, and the list goes on, that need our attention. There is still much work to be done. I encourage you to commit this year to partnering with a non-profit organization dedicated to working to see change in one of these areas.
Difficult seasons produce growth people! It takes getting uncomfy sometimes to push us towards finding a new and better way. We can either choose to dwell on the presence of the cloud and the impact of the storm, or we can be grateful when the cloud has finally lifted, take in the clearer view, and give thanks for the rain it brought.
2020 gave me 20/20 vision.