Life is a chaotic, uncertain, and unrelenting roller coaster ride. We often encourage ourselves to do the best we can while looking at uphill battles waiting for us. This will not change and we shouldn’t expect life to be a smoothly paved journey. Every morning I ask myself three questions while having my coffee and quiet time. How is my relationship with my Lord and Savior, or otherwise put, how is my spiritual health? How is my physical health? Lastly, how are my personal relationships with those I love? If I can answer those three questions truthfully and completely, all the other noise in my life is turned down to a low hum.
These three questions are guiding points in my life. Everyone has different aspects that they hold dear, principles that help hone their emotions and appease their fears. My particular questions may not work for everyone, understanding that beliefs are an offspring of experiences and upbringing. The comfort that these three questions offer me personally becomes beneficial for my daily outlook, demeanor, and sense of hope. If I struggle to answer one of these three deeply personal reflections, I am guided to place my devoted attention on that subject.
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1 – Where am I with my Faith?
The first and most important question of my daily devotion always begins with assessing my personal relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ. He is my rock and the foundation that everything else is built on. I ask myself am I being the shepherd He wants me to be. Have I exerted the love to others as He expects of me? The personal relationship that I have with Christ is a daily journey that has ups and downs, as with any relationship. This question I pose to myself intends to scrape off artificialness. Even as I constantly struggle with sin, I ensure that my faithfulness is not wavering. If I can answer that my spiritual health is thriving and awake and beating with heavy force, I feel as though I can overcome the worst life has to offer.
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2 – Where am I with my Health?
It always amazes me to see people take their physical health for granted. When someone becomes ill or endures a physical trauma, their outlook changes instantly. If I’m able to place my feet on the ground and stand on my own, I feel blessed. While I’m breathing deep air into my lungs and slowly exhaling with no struggle, I feel blessed. When I realize that I don’t have a constant headache, a back that feels twisted and lit on fire, knees that don’t ache, or hands that feel desperately numb, I feel blessed. Physical health is one of the cornerstones that livelihood is built on. The adage of “at least you have your health” is not to be taken lightly or as an obligatory statement. No one’s health is guaranteed and once that fact is acknowledged, everyday becomes a remembrance of what you have to be thankful for.
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3 – Where am I with my Relationships?
My family and friends play a monumental role in my life. When I have a strained relationship with someone, my enteral balance becomes skewed. I don’t have the ability to turn off that desensitizing emotion from my everyday attitude. I reflect in the morning if there is tension with my personal relationships – I then consciously work towards correcting those issues. There are times when fences are unable to be mended. This aspect of life can be difficult, especially if this means the conclusion of meaningful ties. I’ve found that keeping my channels open and honest with family and friends, even when you may be in the wrong, allow you to accept the things that are out of your control. I’m well aware of the support and love heaped upon me from those I’m close with, which is why I make them a priority every morning.
As I sip my coffee and prepare for the day ahead, I’ve found the key questions that console me during these uncertain times. It’s not as though I’m checking off a grocery list, I’m taking inventory of the most important elements to me, acknowledging them every morning. As long as I’m honest in my assessment and true to my heart when reflecting these three questions, I feel prepared to step out into the world, no matter the circumstances or noise.
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