We have problems like everyone else.

Life is hard.  Troubles are going to come your way.  It's not an "IF," it's a "WHEN."  We have problems like everyone else.

My husband was laid off over 3 weeks ago.  It's part of the job.  They get hired on to build a section of pipeline, and each day that they work, they are literally working themselves out of a job.  So, they were done with that job, and that left him unemployed.  At first, I wasn't stressing.  He had a paycheck coming in.  Where the old me would have not wanted to pay the bills we owed in fear of not knowing how long my husband would be out of work, I made the decision to do what I've done each Friday since January 24th:  Tithe, save, pay what we owe, and apply extra toward debt.

It was hard.  I'm not going to lie.  I wanted to revert back to the old me and hold onto that money for the unknown.  Since I started putting money in our savings in January, we did have something to fall back on. Not a lot, but enough.  It wouldn't allow us to pay everything, however, it allowed us to keep food on the table, and the electricity on.  That's what counts.  Wouldn't you know it, we had some unexpected expenses, too.  Not good timing, but we had to replace a part on my vehicle (and you know parts are never cheap).  I will be late on the bills for April, but our kids haven't noticed any lack.  They got to enjoy having their dad home for 3 full weeks.  We just made adjustments everywhere possible. 

He will start work this coming week.  And it will take 2 more weeks before we see a paycheck.  Our savings is continuing to trickle and decrease.  All the progress we were making trying to tackle our debt has come to a complete halt, and is slowing sliding backward.  I should be in full panic mode, right?  Well, I'm not.  See, I have a paycheck coming in before my husband gets paid.  You know my wrap business?  Well, March was a big month.  My team and I busted our butts.  I'm getting my commission check soon, and it will be the largest it has been in months.  It will have extra bonuses attached to it, too, since I'm ranked Diamond in the company.  There's been so many months since I started with It Works in June 2012 that I've been in awe of how God has used it to provide for us. He never ceases to amaze me.  When I was stressing and crying to my husband yesterday morning, counting and naming all my worries, he just said, "We'll get through this.  And we're going to have a big check from It Works coming.  We know that."  I love how we seem to balance each other. It's not 100% of the time, but most of the time, when one of us is down, the other is the voice of reason and brings things back into perspective. 

Having my husband home isn't always easy, though.  The kids and I have our routine, and I'm not used to always having him here to share in that.  When I allowed myself to worry, when I allowed myself to focus on the lack, when I allowed myself to doubt, that's when I wasn't at my best.  I was uneasy, and very sensitive.  Anything done or said could hit me the wrong way.  I wish I was perfect and got along with my husband the entire time he was here, but I didn't.  We don't fight much, but this time with him home, unfortunately, we spent too much time at odds with each other.  Things were said, and feelings were hurt.  I had to contact our Pastor one evening because I was overwhelmed by the argument that had just taken place.  Without going into detail, what was shared with me from our Pastor helped tremendously.  He told me, "It's not your fight. Ask God what you would like to see happen and trust him to give it to you."  Even just typing that out to share with my readers brings tears to my eyes.  That statement is so heavy with truth.  And can be used with anything...whether a fight with my husband, a worry about finances, or anything else that has caused struggle in myself.  The next morning, while we were still distant from each other,  I knew that in order for me to get along with my husband while he was home, I had to take captive my thoughts.  I can't be responsible for his, but I surely am in charge of my own thoughts.  I shared this that morning on my Facebook:

I was given this word this morning. My mind can sometimes be my worst enemy. And I can often forget that I have power over my thoughts. Today I choose Joy and to have a day of thanksgiving. I will not let others bring me down. 

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB)

So, why do I share all of this with you?  Well, I'm not perfect.  I love to share how wonderful my life is when things are going good.  I don't do that to brag, but in hopes of helping others.  If I can help someone get to do what I do, get to enjoy life to the fullest, I want to do that.  I want to inspire others.  That said, I also struggle.  Like I mentioned, I'm not perfect, and I'll never pretend to be.  I have problems like everyone else does.  I have my share of bad days.  Jamie and I have a beautiful marriage and family.  We do have days that we don't get along.  It's part of being human. 

There is something that I do when life throws difficulty my way (and I don't always default to this...it may take me a couple of days to get there, but the end result is always the same):  I'm thankful. 

1. I'm thankful for my husband.  Though we may not always get along, he's always been there for me.  And I hold back tears anytime I have to see him go.  He makes me want to be a better person.
2. I'm thankful for this next job that he's going to.  Even if it's not that one he wanted, God provided this job for him.
3. I'm thankful that God presented the opportunity with It Works.  It's been there every month as an extra paycheck, and always pays what we need when we need it the most. 
4. I'm thankful for the people God has placed in my life.  So many, family and friends, have been an ear to listen to my concerns and struggles, and they've also given me a word of encouragement that have helped me during this time.
5. I'm thankful for my amazing kids.  They bring so much joy into my life.  They roll with the punches and can cause even my darkest days to be bright.  
6. I'm thankful that we've always had our needs taken care of.  We've never gone hungry.  We've never found ourselves without a home.  God has always taken care of what matters most.  
7. I'm thankful that even during the hard times, God is always shaping me.  He continues to teach me new things and I know I'm always growing.

 When you focus on being thankful, you really can make it though anything.  What is it that you have to be thankful for?  When you find yourself going through a season where it just seems like things keep getting worse, make a list of what you're thankful for.  It may not change your circumstance, but it may change your attitude about it.