Life is hard. Sometimes it feels impossible. Usually when I feel like nothing is going my way, I focus on what’s not going my way. Instead of moving on or even distracting myself, I will remain put and keep myself stuck on everything that hurts or is negatively affecting me. It’s definitely important to be able to talk through emotions with people, but at the same time, there comes a point when it is time to move on. I understand fully just how difficult it is to take the high road and be the bigger person, despite how many times in the past you have risen up and done so.
High school can be so rough. Ultimately, I know it is a time of preparation, growth, and strength, but there are countless things that go wrong. Most of high school is filled with students who are insecure and do not know who they are. Teenagers even tend to think they are invincible. I know this because I’m one of them. No one is invincible though. There is nothing more mortal than life itself… it’s just a blink of an eye to God.
The thing is, I believe this can apply to anyone beyond simply high schoolers. Our world is broken and there will always be trials thrown at us. Life is full of ups and downs, but we know this. It is easy to focus on the bad. It actually provides good conversation: most people can relate to one another because we have all been hurt at some point.
This is advice for myself too… I cannot stress enough how important it is to focus on the positive in our lives. There will always be bullies, there will always be people who want to tear you down, there will always be circumstances that are unfair. Why would we want to dwell in bad circumstances? Why dwell in the past?
Someone once told me that the past is to be remembered, not to be re-lived. It is a marker for where we once were, but not where we’re supposed to stay. God does not erase our trauma, he redeems it. Let’s take the high road with pleasure. When we fix our eyes on our future, on the Lord, and on the positives, we will begin to develop a confidence that cannot be shaken. I wish I was strong enough that the little things didn’t affect me and that the “mean girls” of the world did not actually get to me, but they do and that’s okay. I just have to choose to not fix my eyes on the pain or the people, but instead, fix my eyes on literally anything else. If I can choose what I focus on, why not fix my eyes on the Lord? On Scripture? On the good things happening in my life or the good things I have to look forward to?
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
Dwelling in what sucks, will only cause more pain. It is perfectly normal and human to be hurt, but it’s crucial that we do not remain in that place and remember what is more important. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). If you don’t feel like you have the strength to move forward, He does. You don’t ever have to try to move on alone, but you do need to move on. God has amazing plans in store for all of our lives, but we are holding ourselves back when we dwell on what others are doing over what God is doing.
One Girl One God 
You did it again!!! This is outstanding, if only we focused on the positive this world would be wonderful. I remember in Bible College a professor told me “ look at the Cross, what do you see? A positive sign “ Jesus is truly the way truth and life. Thank you for reminding us of that. Great writing, love youPoppa xxxxoooo
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Oh Madison, what wonderful advice! I needed to read this yesterday, to stay focused on what God is doing rather than the problem. We are always going to have to deal with unpleasant situations and have to remember to give them to the Lord. Ask Him how he wants us to deal with them. His ways are higher than ours. 🙏🏻💕
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