Golden Nuggets From God-Finding Joy In The Midst Of Your Storm

“You can either be angry for what you don’t have or thankful for what you do have. Do your best and God will do the rest.” ~ Nick Vujicic

This year has been one of the most painful years of my life. I’ve had to face a lot of losses, which have left me with feelings of sadness, confusion and despair.

In the last 12 months, I lost my beloved dog to a cancerous tumor. We sold our beautiful house and moved from the neighborhood and city I’d known and loved for the last 25 years. Two months after this uprooting, my husband and I got separated. On top of this, I’ve suffered a lot of physical pain and as of this moment, am looking at a high probability of having surgery.

I feel like a tornado has just swept through my life, threatening to steal, kill and destroy me. This storm feels like a very long and gloomy season that keeps dragging on.

Because my faith is being so tested, I have felt alone, isolated, and lonely.

In my darkest moments I cry out, “Where are you God?”

My Abba Father’s response is a sweet gentle whisper, impressed upon my heart. He replies, “Why are you surprised dear one? I forewarned you that here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” He then lovingly reminds me, “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Although we know God has told us to be prepared for challenging times, we still wrestle when the trials hit. At least I have. We must, however, expect hard seasons. Life is not only hard, but it is also short. In Psalm 90:10 it says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.”

Recently a lightbulb went on for me when a friend, who is also going through a very painful time, said to me, “I’ve decided to look for God’s golden nuggets in each day.”

She went on to describe how that day she had received phone calls from two different friends and had met another for coffee. She called these “golden nuggets.” They are the simple pleasures of life that we easily take for granted.

The next morning I felt God was nudging me further on this subject. I read a tweet (by David Krstevski) on Twitter that said, “I opened two gifts this morning… they were my eyes.”

Looking for God’s blessings in our daily lives seems so elementary, but sometimes we overlook the obvious.

Whether you’re facing a trial, or you’re struggling with feeling down, how about purposefully looking for “God’s golden nuggets” in your day?

Be intentional to reflect on the following:

-You have eyes to see His beauty all around you. Soak it up.

-You have ears to hear the precious sounds of the birds outside, or of children playing, or of just the wind blowing. Give attention.

-You have a nose that can smell- something cooking, your perfume, your lotion, etc. Savor it.

-You have senses that feel your hair, your skin, the hug from a loved one, etc. Relish in the sensation.

-Having even one friend is a gift. How many texts have your received or sent today? Phone calls? Had lunch with anyone? Coffee? Appreciate them.

-Do you have a father? A mother? Brothers or sisters? Cousins? Please don’t ever take the gift of family lightly. These are a blessing from God. Be grateful.

Look for God’s gifts to you, His blessings, His golden nuggets in every day. 

I love how Charles Swindoll says it: “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”

I have recently decided to take a new perspective on my current situation. I’m choosing to look for the sweet delicacies in my daily life. I’m intentionally thanking God for every gift He has given me. I’m pushing through my depression to see the glass as half full and not half empty. I’m seeing my loneliness as an opportunity to pray more for others (you can never pray enough), as a gift.

I’m also resolved to believe in God’s promises written in His Word. For example, He assures us,  “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

I would like to end with Nick Vujicic’s story. Nick was born with Phocomelia, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of legs and arms. I hope you watch the video below and be as  encouraged by his testimony as I have been.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2isQjBNiC7c

When I live each day with gratitude, regardless of my circumstances, I find that I have a harvest of blessings, a basket full of gems, that my heavenly Father has given uniquely to me. This is where my joy lays, in my heart.

How about you? Are you ready to take a hold of Jesus’ hand and seek after His “golden nuggets” in your daily life? Whatever you are facing today is not a coincidence. It’s all part of His perfect plan for your life here on earth. May the joy of the Lord be your strength as you go on this journey of life with Him.

“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” ~ John 1:16.

Photo Credit: PinchStudio.com