reframing

I don't know about you, but I regularly feel myself teetering on the edge of exhaustion.  Certainly the age of my children and the rarity of uninterrupted sleep have a lot to do with that looming fatigue but more often than I would like to admit, it's my frame of mind that is be the biggest contributor.  

No matter what scenario is zapping my energy, I have learned the faster I can reframe things, the better off I am.  For me, reframing my circumstances is an active choice to view something as a blessing, rather than a burden even though my situation does not change. 

If I am feeling discouraged about how many times I will be coaxing Jonah back to sleep in the night, I tell myself that while it is tiring to be awake when I should be asleep, there is something precious and imitate about being available to snuggle and comfort a crying baby in the stillness of the night.  

When I'm feeling overwhelmed by the task of planning, shopping and cooking 3 meals a day for my family I remind myself that I have a phenomenal amount of flexibility to cook when I can and I am able to feed everyone food that is beneficial to them because I am home.   

If I wake up feeling burdened by the relentless responsibility of taking care of two small children day after day, I tell myself that the responsibility is brimming with opportunities to love, instruct, teach and cherish my kids.  

Most of us don't have the power to significantly alter our circumstances but we do have the ability to reframe them so that they point our hearts and minds towards gratitude rather than angst.  I have found that I have to be both intentional and persistent to reframe my stressors in a way that paves a way to a healthier outlook on life.  This isn't something I always do well, but I strive to be the kind of person who can see the value that is clothed in the hardship.  

How does reframing help you? 

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me." - Psalm 50:23a 

Love, 

Erica