Combatting Bitterness

I once read (and I wish I could remember where!) that, “We do not choose our depression but we can choose our response to it.” In the last several months, I have felt completely out of control. Depression, chronic pain, infertility, deployments, there are all beyond my control yet they change the course of my life. Surveying these things overwhelms me and often fills my heart with dread and helplessness. But I have to remember that I can control my response to each and every one of these situations.

This month’s theme is thankfulness. One doesn’t have to go very far to be assaulted by everyone’s joy. Facebook feeds are full of people saying every day what they’re thankful for. Target is filled with “thankful” banners. But what about when you’re not thankful? What about when you’re bitter? Because me, I’m pretty bitter right now.

I have been reminded a lot lately that “His mercies are new every morning.”

That’s a lot of take in. Every, single morning, He is showering new mercies upon me.

My life feels rained upon, but not in a merciful way. Yet, I know these mercies are here. And maybe the secret to finding them, is naming them.