When I was a teenager I read a book series called Children of the Promise by Dean Hughs. In one of the books I read something that stuck out to me and has never left me. I memorized it and quote it often, especially when I’m having a hard time.

    I have had many experiences where I have put this to the test. Trust me, it works every time. When you stop thinking about all the things wrong in your life and focus on the needs of others it opens a window for the Lord to heal you.
    I am currently pregnant with my fifth child and this first trimester has been extremely hard on me. One day I called my husband crying. I told him that I felt like a waisted piece of space. I told him that I wasn’t doing any good in the world. My sweet husband, knowing me and knowing that I needed to get outside of myself encouraged me to start praying for other people.  It was like magic. That little bit of advice took my blues away within that very same day. As I began praying for other people I was filled with gratitude for my own life and my seemingly insignificant problems. I started with one person in mind to pray for but my list quickly began to grow. People’s names would pop in my head even at odd moments in the day. Then the next step of healing happened. I decided to call some of these people whose names came to my mind. (When I was in my “blues” the thought of calling anyone would stress me out so this was a big deal.) As I called them my love for them grew and my problems disappeared. Not in a literal sense, I am still pregnant, but my perspective changed. I felt like I was doing something good in the world and that creates joy and a sense of worth.
    Growing up, right before I would leave the house for school, my mom would often say, “look in the mirror one last time. You look great! Now forget yourself and think about others.” So no matter who your are, or how old you are, or where you live in the word, just remember… YOU LOOK GREAT!!! NOW FORGET YOURSELF AND TIHNK ABOUT OTHERS!!

DEBBIE