Sunday, November 13, 2011

bitter vs. sweet

Sometimes the greatest joys in life can be paired with some great sorrow.

This weekend... something like that happened.

It reminded me that whether we are on the sweet or the bitter side that we have a choice in how we want to react. And, trust me, I'm not saying this because I am always the best at reacting well on either side of the spectrum. This is as much a reminder to me as it may be for someone else. 

I believe the most important thing to remember when on the sweet side of a bittersweet scenario is to stop and thank God. 

Sometimes we can get so caught up in our blessings that we forget to thank the one that orchestrated them all.  


Secondly, I've learned that the best way to handle the sweet scenarios is with humility. I think humility is one of the greatest qualities a person can have. Being sensitive to those around you sometimes doesn't come easy to all of us, but humility is truly the act of thinking more about others and less about ourselves.


As for the bitter side of bittersweet... 

These of course are easier said than done. Easier told than remembered. But I think they are incredibly important and truly will help us in times we find ourselves on the bitter side...

Sometimes it feels like God doesn't answer our prayers, but we see him answering prayers for those around us. It doesn't make sense. But we have to stay strong and know that He will not forsake us.



Some of us are the biggest planners. We make lists for everything. Me included. This is sometimes when the biggest discouragements come. When we want something to happen on our time and forget that we are on God's time. We truly have to learn to let go... put it in God's hands. This is tough. I know. But God constantly reminds me that this is the only way.

I've had many situations that I desperately was trying to have full control of and guess what, slowly but surely all of my control was taken away from me. I was left with no choice, but to give it to God...  

Some of them I have seen God work through and some are still in the process.

It makes sense though... when we are taken out of the equation, out of control of a situation... then when God moves it brings more glory to Him.. and less glory to us.





At the end of the day, even in our most bitter of the bittersweet moments we have to remember this... 



I can't tell you how many times when I've been at some of my lowest points in life and I have read a story on the news or in blog or spoken to someone and hear about someone that is struggling far greater than I am.
It doesn't take away our pain completely, but it puts things into perspective at times.


And in the meantime... a diet coke can go a long way. I enjoyed one today. ♥



{ Linking up herehere, here, here, here }

22 comments:

  1. Perfect topic to read about! It is so easy to look at the lives of others and wish we were getting the things they are, wishing we were being treated as they are being treated...this truly hinders us from seeing ALL that God is doing in our own lives! He is always giving. He is always loving us! :)

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  2. I cannot agree with you more Heather. I too get caught up with the blessings I'm given and forget to think of others or thank God for just living. I love that text about your riches and wealth...it is so humbling

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  3. What a wonderful post. I love all the quotes, especially the one about being richer than most of the world. Such a great thing to put things into perspective.

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  4. I'm in love with this blog. And this post was beautiful. Blessings are something we need to wake up realizing and be grateful to everything that surrounds us. Wonderful.

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  5. Wow, what a great post. I needed that today! I posted that last image "If you have..." a while back and I just loved it. I also LOVE diet coke and your blog! New follower!

    http://sincerelyarizona.blogspot.com/

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  6. Good words, lovely lady! Life is such a journey...such a rollercoaster. Enjoy that diet coke and feel the love this week:-) xoxo

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  7. I have been trying extra hard to remember to just thank God for what I have rather than ask for something. Great post :)

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  8. awww what great quotes! i love them all. such an assurance knowing there is someone watching over you and loving you.

    Lindsay

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  9. I love all of the inspiration this post has! Thanks so much for sharing. We all have a lot to be thankful for.

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  10. Thank you for those encouraging passages! I copies a couple of them! Because as you said sometimes we get so caught up in the "I want" and forget that God has a plan and it’s up to him Not us!

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  11. Love LOVE all the quotes! I saved them all!
    Amazing! Love to find christian woman of God here on the Bloggers world. You should joing the Faith&Fashion group.

    Pearl

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  12. Well said! We all need to be reminded of this. Thank you for sharing!

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  13. heather!!! miss reading your blog -- glad you are back!! :]

    & i have to agree I def don't give God the credit he deserves or think of others the way I need too.

    thank you for this post!
    xoxo. ashlyn

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  14. Great post! Thank you for the encouragement! The planning part hit pretty close :) I am a huge planner and constantly have to relinquish hold of my plans so that God can reveal His plans.
    I hope everything is okay as far as the sorrow you experienced this weekend!!

    Bethany~

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  15. this definitely hit home for me :) thank you for your sweet post!

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  16. Puts everything in perspective!!

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  17. So true. I love the quote by Joseph Campbell that you included.

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  18. Great word! I love God's 3 answers to prayer.. Definitely needed reminding of that today!

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  19. this is the perfect post for me today. i am dealing with an unexpected change over christmas break and i'm trying to remember the Proverbs 31 woman.. she laughs at the days to come!

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  20. Awww! You are just lovely! Found you on 3Four&Under linky! :o) Excited about getting to know you more!

    ♥Jazmin

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  21. Hiya i’m your newest follower via follow me wednesday (3 four and under) what a cute blog you have :)
    so excited about your blog for God! woooooo!
    love Emily from studousstitch.blogspot.com

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I'm blessed by your sweet words!

They inspire and encourage me to keep sharing my story...

Thank you.

♥Heather