Hello ,

It's hard to find meaning in the midst of tragedy. But in her book The How of Happiness, researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky shows that people who find some kind of benefit from trauma and tragedy live longer and find more happiness than those who don't see any benefit in their trials. She gives the following example:

In one study researchers interviewed men who had had heart attacks between the ages of 30 and 60. Those who perceived benefits in the event seven weeks after it happened- for example, believing that they had grown and matured as a result, or revalued home life, or resolved to create less hectic schedules for themselves-were less likely to have recurrences and more likely to be healthy eight years later. In contrast, those who blamed their heart attacks on other people or on their own emotions (e.g., having been too stressed) were now in poorer health.*

Each day of our lives, we have choices about what kind of attitudes that we're going to embrace.  When we have a tight relationship with Jesus we can turn those decisions over to His care.  He can help us to choose wisely.  Lord, thank-you for staying with me through every moment of my life.  Help me to make good decisions today regarding my attitude.  In Jesus' name, amen!

Have a great day and God bless!

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Pastor Mike / The Open Word