By Mark Maher
Life is hard enough, it’s easy to focus on all the losses. So we are reminded at the end of the day to look back over the wins. Celebrate your success. What went right? What did you gain this year?
What’s God been doing in your life? Are you grateful? Have you seen transformation? In what areas are you winning at in life?
Sometimes we can get swept away in the world of striving. It can become never enough. Learn to celebrate the small things.
When you paint a room. It’s beautiful. Takes a lot of time. Took a lot of effort on your part. At the end of the painting, do you reflect on how beautiful the room is or do you focus on any little flaws in the paint job? It’s OK to focus on the flaws, but don’t forget about the wins.
In sports do you focus more on the wins or on the losses? Have you lost your ability to appreciate a win? I knew at one stage of my coaching career I got to where I only focused on the losses and I wasn’t appreciating the wins.
Shift your perspective from what “didn’t go right” to what “did go right.” From taking your eyes off of “what I don’t have” to “what I do.” Moses was questioning his abilities, and God reminded him of what you “have in your hand.” A staff. “Take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.” (Exodus 4:17) Go use the gifts God has already given you.
Celebrating the small things helps in the journey. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks IN ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (Thessalonians 5:16-18) Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always.” It doesn’t say rejoice sometimes.
Remember how far you’ve come. Remind yourself that life is a journey, not simply a destination. God loves you for exactly who you are. We want to accomplish things, I get it, but truly God loves you because you’re breathing.
“I’m far from perfect, but I can tell you that I’m a lot better off than I was. My best life is the life that God prepared me for and the one I’m enjoying today. You may not be where you want to be, but thank God you’re not where you used to be.” Joyce Meyers
Neglecting your wins is a tough way to live. We lose the spirit of joy and thankfulness. Are you grateful for what you have or are you more focused on what you don’t? It’s tough to live in the world of “what if” or to not give yourself credit for “the effort.”
Ask yourself what you’re celebrating too. Are you celebrating “the relationships” or “the things.” What do you value? Do you value the fruits of the spirit? Where do you celebrate in your life? Who do you celebrate? Why do you celebrate? What’s winning at life mean to you?
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Let’s learn to celebrate each day. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10)
