November 13, 2016

Celebrating Partial Victories


“I’ll be happy when_____” I can’t count the millions of times I think that daily. I’m waiting for the time when my health, my children, and my finances are in perfect order… Hold on! Reality check! Life often runs according to humorist Erma Bombeck’s philosophy:

“If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?”


Some individuals may dig even deeper for life truths. They may follow the Man in Black’s philosophy in the movie, The Princess Bride:

“Life is pain…Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

When Nothing Makes Sense

Let’s assume certain aspects of your life are spinning out of control. Some people you deal with don’t want to change. Others don’t want to listen to “reason”.  They are what they are. You can’t force individuals to comprehend and accept your way of thinking. For instance, they may not understand your wishes and priorities.

Don’t forget the trials in your circumstances, either.  Despite your obvious intelligence, you’re still in debt and underemployed—or unemployed. That medical problem is still unresolved, too. (Please substitute your own challenges; we all have them.)

What’s going on?!! It’s called “Life”; it really is.  The French have a phrase that says it all: “C’est la vie,” which means, “That’s life.” This can also be expanded to signify, “What can you do?” Rationality, fairness, and predictability have rarely been a part of my existence; I don’t know about you.

What is the Solution?

Must we keep such a fatalistic attitude for years? Why should we, since it’s obviously unhealthy? Let me present you with another option:

Celebrate your short-term, small victories; you’ll be encouraged.

In other words, don’t wait for the Red Sea to be parted against all the laws of physics; be happy now. God is protecting you from the plagues He’s sending to Egypt. We often overlook the small “Aha!” moments as we wait for the gigantic “Wait! Did that really just happen?” events. 

The Importance of Gratitude Now

There are always plenty of unfair situations in the world. Some people are unhappy with the results of the recent Presidential Election. Many are using it as another excuse for violence. (We won’t go there.) The list of negatives goes on and on. 

It’s almost Thanksgiving in America. It’s a good time to remember the positive individuals and situations in our lives. We make the choice to be pessimistic or optimistic; nobody can make that decision for us.

My Conclusion

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never comes to an end; they 
are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”—Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

We’re all waiting for huge breakthroughs; it’s human nature. However, the Lord wants us to recognize the small blessings he sends our way daily.

Related Posts


Do you appreciate the daily miracles in your life?




No comments:

Post a Comment