Start a Fire

What's our fear in telling someone how we really feel? Why do we complain more than we talk about the positive aspects of our days? Is life really that bad that all we can do is talk about the negative moments? Isn't it meant to be so much more than that? I mean, Jesus did die on the cross for us and took all of our sins on his shoulder in one instance, that's right.. The sins of the WHOLE WORLD, on him, at one moment in time. You think you have it bad?

It's been everywhere lately, so it's finally hitting me. My devotional this week was about complaining, I recently had a conversation with a friend who said that she was trying to avoid complaining and instead was trying to talk about the good things in life, and again I saw it when I happened to pull up my Pandora screen during a song by Building 429. I hadn't realized before what the name stood for.

Ephesians 4:29 reads Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. So a group of men got together to form a band that would encourage and build people up.

Shouldn't that be our mission everyday? Instead of looking at a situation and thinking of how terrible it is, couldn't we look at it as an obstacle conquered, a fear faced? We should be thankful for these obstacles, as tough as they may be, because God knows what He is doing. In Romans it reads "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. "

Think of how much happier the world would be if we went around talking about positive things on a daily basis. Life might not always be the beautiful story we'd hoped for, but through every trial, something beautiful will come out of it. I watched the movie Hoovey tonight, and even that reminded me to be strong and stay positive through any situation.

"Hoovey" found out that he had a brain tumor, but luckily the doctor removed it and he was able to eventually live a normal life. The trials his family faced throughout the journey were grueling- he had to relearn how to walk, how to see straight, and the medical bills forced them to sell their home, but Hoovey reminded them after realizing for himself, they must remain strong and stay positive through it all. He built up the other basketball players on his team, he encouraged anyone around him, because he knows this life is not our own and nothing is ours to begin with. If something is taken from us, who are we to be mad and complain, when God gave it to us, and so will take it away with His timing.

As I came inside tonight the stars were shining so bright around a full moon and I just paused on my steps and looked at it. The sky always seems so much brighter in the winter, and it never fails to amaze me. Yes, many things are going on, but yes, it is possible to remain positive through it all because God is good, all the time. So I challenge you, when you talk with someone today, compliment them on something, say something positive that happened to you, tell them of an obstacle you're facing but are working to overcome. Let the words that come out of you be a light to this world.

It's already a dark enough place, so shouldn't we want to shed some light through the brokenness and heartache, the loneliness and tears and be the reason someone smiles and laughs again. No, the darkness doesn't last forever, but we can help  speed up the process for those who are going through difficult times by being the love someone needs in their day, by being the spark that can start a fire and ignite the world in love, smiles, and laughter.

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