My job is to recruit people to go and teach in the Middle and Far East. They want to leave South Africa in search of a better job, more money, opportunities to travel and a different lifestyle.
Yet, after they arrive at their destination, the culture shock, the enormous difference of life and being away from everything familiar results in a plunge into the pit of misery. They want to go home!
I have learned that I need to be content right here in South Africa amidst the country and the continent’s turmoil. A poor economy, rampant poverty and too much crime ravages our thoughts, with the press spewing out negativity on a daily basis reminding us of how terrible it is here. It’s easy to get pessimistic and expect that life is greener on the other side.
It’s not.
On the ‘other side’ there are different issues. In Europe there is the ongoing threat of terrorism, large scale refugee issues and the complete uncertainty of government change. Countries seem split. America is divided. The world seems to be at war with itself.
In placing people in the Middle and Far East, those that do the best are those who can learn to be content regardless of their circumstances. Those who look on the bright side, those who count their blessings, those who smile in the face of difficulty – they are the ones who have discovered where contentment begins. It’s not in the size of your salary or the plushness of your apartment. It’s what is going on in your mind and in your heart.
It’s controlling your thoughts and digging deep to prevent yourself from slipping down the ugly muddy slide of negativity.
Whenever I go down to Sun Valley Mall, I am struck by the importance of 4 words boldly printed on the window of the daily cafe…
They do something for me every single time I see them. I read them. I think them. I smile at them. I react to them. I become thankful for today. They bring me back to this moment. They tell me to forget what happened yesterday and don’t worry about tomorrow – be thankful for today.
Psalm 118:24
“The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
It is so important for me to look for the good and to train my mind on taking every thought captive and maintaining an attitude of gratitude. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. This is where contentment begins: in my mind.
So, apart from being thankful for today #162 of my 1000 thanks is for telephones! I know it’s random, but I had an hour long conversation with Stacey today and it would not have been possible without a phone! 🙂
These are the days!
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂