Chapter intro: “When a photographer can’t change a scene, he changes his angle and lens to capture the best of that scene. Similarly, when you can’t change a situation in life, change your perspective and mindset to get the best out of that situation”-Lokesh Mahale
I did an internship in London the summer before heading back to the States after a year teaching abroad in Spain.
The ideas I had of channeling my inner Corporate queen from 9-5pm and hitting Happy Hours after work with all my new British ‘mates’ came to an abrupt end when I realized my reality was a ~2 hour work commute to an unheard of city outside of London with not a skyscraper or happy hour hotspot in sight.
I found myself thinking, “My blazer and high heels don’t belong here- God, why am I not in the city center amongst the corporate hustle? I know you can open the door, why haven’t you? I really thought you led me here, did I get it wrong?”
This type of thinking -combined with the fact that I am commitment phobic and prone to uproot at the slightest inconvenience- almost led me to book my flight back to LA the first week after arriving.
After weeks of these frustrated prayers I finally came to the point where I asked God to speak to me. And like He always does, He met me where I was. He saw me. He heard me. And He answered me.
For the girl who’s frustrated and confused on what this season is all about and why it isn’t everything you thought it would be- May I ask when the last time you listened to God was?
Perhaps He’s brought you here to be a light to someone who needs you. Perhaps He’s brought you here to teach you something you will need later. Perhaps He didnt bring you here, but He’s going to use it for good anyways.
Only He truly knows- so make room to listen to Him, and in the meantime you can
FLIP THE SWITCH
1) Stay Grateful
“True joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God “James 1:2-4)
Change your language from: “What can I get?” To “How can I give?”
From “I have to” to “I get to”.
2) Remember your Mission
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”. Matthew 16:24-26
Look up from your world and remember this is bigger than you! It’s not your purpose, it’s God’s purpose. He’s fulfilling something special through you, and it might not make sense, but that’s what faith is about- obeying in spite of not knowing.
You are here on assignment- Take up your cross, friend and bring it back to focus.
3) SHOW UP
Who will you show up as when life hands you lemons?
You stepped out in faith and are now in a spot that isn’t living up to be everything you thought it would be. While you can’t always control your circumstances, you can control how you think about it, what you believe, and your attitude.
Let today be the day a fresh spirit falls upon you.
Let today be the day you decide to turn those lemons into lemonade.
Let today be the day you decide there is no uprooting. That you are going to bloom where you are planted until God gives you the peace to move.
4) Pray: Ask God to reveal to you what this is all about and how it fits into His perfect plan for your life.
5) Watch ”The Uncomfortable Advantage” sermon by Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts
If you like this article, check out: https://stories.harnessmagazine.com/india-finding-my-religion/
