Appreciation of Life

A new driver for an interstate trucking company was having a difficult time. He found the long cross-country trips extremely tiring. The older driver who traveled with him, however, seemed to thrive on those long trips. He always seemed to look as fresh at the end of the ride as he did at the beginning. One day, the young man asked the older what his secret was. “Well, it’s really all in the way you look at it,” he replied. “While you went to work this morning, I went for a ride through the country.” Isn't that amazing? Just the focus and appreciation that we have on the same situation, can change our perspective and our experience! That is why the Bible says:
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Cheerfulness is hard especially in this world when life is full of disappointments, frustrations and difficulties. However, the Bible says that though a righteous man will have troubles, the Lord will deliver him!
Psalm 34:19
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
How we look at the troubles we face makes all the difference in the world! If we focus only the problems and create a mountain out of a molehill and have an attitude of despair, we are only compounding our problems. If we instead put on an attitude of cheerfulness with the knowledge and expectation that God will intervene on our behalf and deliver us, we are choosing to appreciate life and enjoy it, no matter what!

If we reflect on the reasons why difficulties occur to a righteous person, it is mostly for one of these reasons - that God may be glorified, to perfect our faith and character, to correct our sinful ways or as a consequence of our foolishness for bad choices. If we consider these wisely, they are all for our benefit even if it is not comfortable! God's glory should be our constant goal; growth in faith and character is a great blessing; correction is proof of God's love for us and is for our profit; and consequences from foolish choices drive us to wisdom. So we can lift up our heart and rejoice! That is what Paul was able to do when he was afflicted - able to be cheerful and rejoice!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

What are you worried about that is robbing you of your appreciation of life? Get your perspective right! Remember that God is your future and there is no future greater than that! What's even better - there are benefits from all the troubles that we face and God will deliver us from it all for His glory! Choose an attitude of cheerfulness over despair and change your perspective and live a full abundant life rather a defeated life! The kind of life you have is your choice...
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.